Four million Scots face being thrown into fuel poverty this winter, shock report warns
18.08.2022 - 18:09
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Four million Scots risk being plunged into fuel poverty by January if energy bills rise as expected, a shock report has found.
Three-quarters of all households in Scotland could struggle to make ends meet if the price cap is raised by the UK Government in October and January.
Fuel poverty is defined as any household spending more than 10 per cent of their income on energy after housing costs have been deducted.
Experts at the University of York found huge regional variations in how different parts of the UK will be impacted by the soaring cost of energy.
As many as 76 per cent of households in Northern Ireland could be plunged into fuel poverty - but the figure is just 56 per cent in London and 58 per cent in the south-east of England.
It comes as many Scots are already struggling to cope with inflation running at a 40-year high and rising food costs. The SNP has challenged the UK government to "come out of hiding" and address the cost of living crisis.
Alison Thewlis, MP for Glasgow Central, described the fuel poverty report as "horrifying" and urged Westminster to take action.
She said: "This truly horrifying study must finally alert the UK government to come out of hiding and address the Tory-made cost of living crisis.
"So far, the Prime Minister and Chancellor have done nothing to help ease the squeeze for households, with rising bills and soaring inflation reaching levels not seen since Margaret Thatcher.
"There can be no more delays. The Prime Minister and Chancellor must finally recall Parliament and deliver an emergency budget which will freeze the energy price cap rise, scrap VAT on fuel and deliver meaningful and long-lasting financial support to households.
"Failure to do so could have devastating consequences for