MORE than one in three people in Scotland find their energy bills unaffordable, according to a new poll.
Of the 36% of people who said they could not afford their power bills, eight in 10 (80%) cited rising energy costs as a reason, the Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) survey found.
Almost two thirds (65%) said the rising cost of living was an issue – while 40% said low incomes were an underlying problem. Just under a quarter (24%) said that their home being hard to heat was a factor. CAS said it comes as people face a “perfect storm” this winter, with rising energy bills following the increase of the energy price cap, the crisis in the energy market seeing some suppliers go out of business, and the end of the Universal Credit uplift.
It has launched a Big Energy Saving Winter campaign encouraging people to get advice to tackle rising bills.
READ MORE: UK facing 'Tory-made cost of living crisis' as energy prices soar
CAS Fair Markets spokesperson Kate Morrison said: “The fact that one in three people find their energy bills unaffordable is unacceptable, and what this research shows is that the underlying reasons can be varied and complex. From rising inflation and increased bills, to low incomes and homes that are hard to heat, people are struggling this winter – and these problems are likely to last well into 2022.
“The crisis in the energy market also means that some routes to lower bills simply aren’t available. For example, switching supplier will likely just lead people to a higher tariff. However, our message today is that the CAB network is here to help. We can check if you are entitled to any benefits or grants that you’re not currently claiming; we can talk to your energy company and re-structure any debt repayments you may have; and we can look at how better insulation can help you save money – and the planet at the same time.”
Pete McGinnie, 45, who lives in Edinburgh, is among those helped by CAS. McGinnie worked for many years in a call centre, before having to retire due to ill health.
For the last few years he has been living on disability benefits and has often found it difficult to afford the cost of living, particularly the cost of domestic energy bills.
Last year he sought help from his local Citizens Advice Bureau, who told him he could claim the Warm Home Discount, a grant that cuts your fuel bill by £140 per year.
READ MORE: Five times Better Together promised Scots cheaper energy in the UK
He said: “For a while I was living day-to-day, using foodbanks and scraping together every penny. I was really struggling to cope. My house is not very good at retaining heat and I would often just stay in the one room, getting into bed during the daytime and just staying there, to try and save on my heating costs.
“But even then I was worried about how I was going to pay the bills. It was impacting my mental health and I went to some really dark places. Really dark. Then I went to Citizens Advice and they were brilliant.”
He added: “They told me I was eligible for something called the Warm Home Discount. I had no idea about this, and it was such a weight off my mind. It made a big difference to me.
“I’m still finding it hard at times, but this help meant I was able to heat my home again, and didn’t feel I had to switch the lights off and sit in the dark. I only wish I had asked for their help sooner.”
The survey of 1011 adults was conducted for CAS by YouGov in mid November.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here