A WARM welcome to 2024 – I stress “warm welcome” because household energy costs increased by 5% on January 1. Just in time for the coldest snap of the year and just in time to add to the misery of extra spending over Christmas for households.
Debt charities are bracing themselves for higher than normal demand for their services amidst the cost-of-living crisis.
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This crisis is being exacerbated by the Westminster government who have powers over energy costs, who are stretching households to the limit and piling misery on so many hard-working families who are trying their best amidst increased mortgage payments, increased food bills and now increased fuel costs.
Where is the hand reaching out in times of need? Well, unfortunately Westminster still control many aspects of our daily lives, and their record to date – imposing the largest welfare cut since World War Two – does not bode well for those asking “can I afford to turn the heating on?”
Catriona C Clark
Falkirk
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