Scots must be given the choice between the monarchy or a republic if the country votes for independence in the future, a Green MSP has insisted.
16.05.2022 - 19:21 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A single mum-of-five whose energy bills soared to £760 a month said she now has to choose between food and heating and is forced to use candles for light.
Struggling Nicola Elson, 32, has lived in her two-bed flat in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, for the past year and spends the majority of her salary on her electricity meter. She sits with candles on at night with the heating off in order to save the pennies - which means her two children often have to stay elsewhere.
Nicola said: “There have been times I have had to pick food or electric, or I have had to borrow off friends and family to get things I have ran out of, or even to put the electric on. My children’s grandparents have to pay for my children’s shoes, coats, bags, lunches, sometimes clothes because everything I have goes on my meter."
READ MORE: Minister says people should work more hours or get better job to protect themselves from cost-of-living
She added: "If I get something extra, I need to then struggle somewhere else, that being the meter, the internet bill, or not being able to watch TV for an hour in the morning before school."
Nicola moved in March 2021 and she claims, at first, she needed to put around £140 on her Pay As You Go meter every week to see her through. She rang up her provider, ScottishPower, to enquire as to why the price for her electricity was so high. She says she was told that it was due to her appliances, but she only had a fridge-freezer, TV, kettle and cooker at the time.
Nicola, of Hamilton, also heats her house using electricity with plug-in storage heaters. She brought in an electrician who replaced her meter but this didn’t make a difference, and it is affecting her relationship with her family.
She said: “I have five
Scots must be given the choice between the monarchy or a republic if the country votes for independence in the future, a Green MSP has insisted.
The Conservative group at Perth and Kinross Council has expressed outrage at the SNP choosing the convener of PKC's scrutiny committee.
A cult band chose Scotland for it's first live show in over 10 years - saying Glasgow is home to the best venue in the world.
Good evening and welcome to Friday’s news briefing.
Tributes have been paid to a Fife police officer and mum who has died after battling a long illness.
The ex-girlfriend of a jet ski Romeo who rode to the Isle of Man from Scotland during lockdown faces another jail term.
Martin Lewis has revealed his 12-point plan to survive the crippling cost of living crisis after sounding the alarm for yet more eye-watering bill hikes.
A Scots man has revealed that the Loch Ness monster may have a pal after spotting two creatures through his binoculars.
Police have launched a search after a man vanished overnight in Fife.
The delivery of social security benefits in Scotland has been praised in a new report, but “substantial” risks remain.
The Royal Mint has revealed a new rainbow-coloured 50p coin to mark the 50th anniversary of the UK Pride movement and said this will be the first time the LGBTQ+ community has been recognised on an official coin.
More plans are being made to upgrade play areas across Falkirk district - and Falkirk Council is looking for local views on how best to improve them.
A single mother-of-two whose energy bill soared to £760 a month cannot afford to heat the home and uses candles for light.
A 73-year-old was shocked to discover her energy bills had soared by as much as £4,480 a month amid the cost of living crisis. Mum-of-three Phyllis Kennedy was used to paying just £120 per month for her bills before it skyrocketed to a whopping £4,600.
Rebekah Vardy allegedly took pictures inside Sarah Harding's bag, Coleen Rooney has told the High Court.
Anas Sarwar has backed Keir Starmer to take Labour into the next general election despite the UK party leader facing mounting questions over beergate.
Martin Lewis has criticised energy firms which are doubling bills for one in four customers, according to research.The MoneySavingExpert founder said suppliers raising prices in some cases by 100 per cent "smells wrong". Customers complained about companies such as British Gas and Octopus in a survey by MoneySavingExpert.com between April 26 and May 3. One in four people who took part claim their bills have doubled despite being on a price cap and in credit.
Invergordon man Shaun Banner has now been missing for two weeks - but support from the local community has kept his worried family going.