Nicola Sturgeon has refused to guarantee every eligible Scot will receive a new Winter Heating Payment in Scotland this month.
16.01.2023 - 08:05 / dailyrecord.co.uk
More than a million struggling Scots are putting heating over eating in a desperate attempt to pay soaring energy bills.
Some are finding it so hard to make ends meet, they’ve resorted to showering in leisure centres and washing their clothes in the sink. Others are filling a flask once a day instead of boiling a kettle, wearing extra layers of clothing and using just candles for heat.
Polling by YouGov on behalf of Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), in which 1002 adults were questioned, found that two-thirds have had to cut household spending and groceries were among the first to go. One said they sometimes have to decide whether to charge their mobility scooter or eat.
Some parents admitted to eating less so there was enough food for their children. And others with health conditions say they are being made worse by breathing in cold air at home.
Everyone who took part in the survey has found other ways to cut energy use. Some won’t turn on lights in the evening, preferring to sit in the dark. And people are refusing to turn the heating on until the cold is unbearable.
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They are all avoiding using the oven and some will only cook one meal a day. CAS launched its Big Energy Saving Winter campaign last month to help those worried
Nicola Sturgeon has refused to guarantee every eligible Scot will receive a new Winter Heating Payment in Scotland this month.
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