Cost-of-living crisis 'intensifying day by day', warns Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Maree Todd
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North MSP Maree Todd has warned that the cost-of-living crisis is "intensifying day by day" and revealed that she has been contacted by members of the public who fear they will be unable to make ends meet.
Ms Todd says her Caithness, Sutherland and Ross constituency has some of the highest fuel poverty rates in the country and the energy price cap increase, announced last week, will be "devastating" to many individuals and families.
Energy regulator Ofgem said those on default tariffs paying by direct debit will see an average increase of £693 to £1971 a year. Prepayment customers will face a rise of £708 to £2017.
The changes take effect from April and will affect around 22 million customers across the UK.
Ofgem says the increase is driven by a record rise in global gas prices over the past six months.
“From increased food costs to soaring energy bills, I’ve been contacted by constituents who fear they will no longer be able to make ends meet," Ms Todd said.
“The cost-of-living crisis is intensifying day by the day and the UK government is failing to act. The measures announced by the Chancellor last week fail to alleviate the pressure on household finances.
"It’s not just rising energy costs that we face either – we have the cumulative impact of Universal Credit cuts and sanctions, a hike in National Insurance, Brexit and rising inflation."
The SNP MSP added: “As always, my office is on hand to offer support and advice to anyone struggling – please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”
The Scottish Government has asked the UK government to review the obligation costs on energy bills to reduce the premium paid by households reliant on electric heating and help to unlock the deployment of low and zero-emissions heating. Calls have also been made for the UK government to make changes to how costs are charged to low-income and fuel-poor households with higher energy costs.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak last week unveiled a £200 energy bills discount for all households, to be repaid over five years, in addition to a £150 rebate for English households in council tax bands A-D.
Mr Sunak said that £219 million of Barnett funding would be made available to the Scottish Government to mirror his council rebate scheme.
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