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.
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 about energy bills.
Last year, they managed to unlock £132 million of cash for people through social security and employment entitlements. CAS social justice spokesman David Hilferty said: “The cost-of-living crisis is seeing people having to make increasingly difficult household spending decisions and we see that lots of people are cutting back on food in various ways because of rising energy bills.
“For many people, that might mean skipping a takeaway or a meal in a restaurant but for others it will be a straight choice between heating and eating.”
Citizens Advice staff were told by some stressed residents that they’re frightened to put the heating on and are suffering high levels of stress and anxiety worrying about the rise in their bills. They’ve made changes to their lifestyle including just heating one room at a time, showering less, going to bed earlier to stay warm and only turning the heating on for one hour a day.
One said: “I’m using my local council leisure card to go twice a week for a shower. At 50p a time, it is cheaper than using the energy at home.”
About 1.5 million Scots households saw their energy bills rise last April after Ofgem hiked the dual fuel bills price cap by the biggest increase yet. All households were given a £400 discount by the UK Government, administered by energy suppliers, which is paid in instalments.
Housing and Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “The Scottish Government is doing all it can within its limited budget and has allocated almost £3 billion in this financial year to help. This includes £1 billion to provide services and financial support not available elsewhere in the UK, for example Scottish Child Payment and Child Winter Heating Assistance.”
Scottish Labour MSP Daniel Johnson said: “The working people of Britain did not cause this crisis – this Tory government did.”
Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy MSP said: “The enormous strain households are under as a result of the global cost-of-living crisis is why the UK Government was quick to deliver a comprehensive package of support.”
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