As energy prices rise to a staggering high, a protest is being encouraged to order a ten minute blackout in homes.
Named with the hashtag #BigPowerOff, the campaign is urging people to turn their electric off at the mains - if they're able to - for 10 minutes on Sunday.
Angry at the state of the cost of living, author Karen Brady, 59, took to Twitter with a call to action, encouraging people to make a stand against the rising energy prices that is expected to throw thousands into fuel poverty.
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According to experts, one in four people in the UK will not be able to afford to pay their energy bill by October and a survey for Advice Direct Scotland said that 70 per cent of Scots are concerned about paying for their bills.
Financial guru Martin Lewis has repeatedly pleaded with the Government to intervene and says the £200 energy rebate is not enough, especially as the price cap is expected to rise again in October.
And on April 10, at 10pm, Karen and campaign group Disabled People Against Cuts (DAPC), who have local groups around the UK, including Glasgow, will be switching their energy off, or at least reducing it to essentials only.
Glasgow Live spoke to Karen Brady and DAPC's Jennifer Jones, 41, about what they hope will happen and why they are asking people to turn their electricity off.
Karen said: "The silent collective action protest plan is inclusive for all, it’s non partisan. Everyone can do it. People in my family are freezing at home and scared to boil a kettle for a cup of tea. Our government are laughing at us. We have zero opposition. We as the people are alone.
"People at home can still get involved in this legal silent collective action protest by switching off at the same time together for 10 minutes. This will give a blackout and (depending on how many people get involved) the power surge back on will be noticed."
She reckons: "A small amount of profit will be lost by the energy companies and shareholders. I am gathering momentum for this first action and will rinse and repeat it until the Government implements special emergency measures to reduce costs for all back to pre pandemic prices"
Jennifer Jones from DPAC fully supports Karen's campaign and DPAC are also calling people to do the same on Sunday after they ran similar protest in Sheffield on April 1. She said she had lots of support from other people outside the group.
Jennifer points out that not everyone can switch their electric off at the mains as many rely on it for live giving equipment. In that case, she says, she is encouraging households to reduce their energy usage for the day as much as possible.
On April 1, she explained how her and her son used solar panel lamps during the day and played board games and cards at night with candle light. She added that people can share how they're getting involved by using the hashtag #BigPowerOff on social media.
Others, she explained, filled a thermos of tea or coffee the night before and had that ready for the morning, used camping chargers to charge phones and tablets, and groups of friends ventured to one home - while leaving their energy off for a length of time.
Furious at the energy companies who continue to make a profit, Jennifer said: "Hit them where it hurts! This is just one day of action. And we'll do it again and bigger".
But Jennifer says that this isn't a new issue for her and thousands of other people with disabilities who often have a low income and the price hike in energy is expected to hit them the hardest.
And as many rely on electric for life giving equipment, it is a daunting time.
She adds that is can be easy to feel bitter to see people finally listen to your concerns when it only is affected them now - like not being able to afford the gas bill - but she said: "Instead of saying I told you - I say join us.
"It's more than just not keeping warm, or choosing between heating and eating. It's not being able to wash your clothes, your hair, or even buy essential items like toothpaste because that £1 is all you have".
Last week, we spoke to Glasgow residents who were 'terrified' of the rising cost energy. One mum shared that she sits in the dark and tells her son that they're having a pyjama party, when really it's to keep him warm.
Another Glasgow resident, Fraser Stewart, added that it is the "biggest social crisis we've seen in years."
Karen and Jennifer agree that there are power in numbers. Karen said: "Enough is enough. When I see [her family's] distress and misery it angers me to do something about it."
