More than 40 percent of households in West Dunbartonshire are now living in fuel poverty.
The grim statistics announced by the Scottish Government show that a further 211,000 households across Scotland are likely to be living in fuel poverty in the coming months, an increase of 43 percent on 2019 figures.
And with the energy price cap due to rise again later this year, more local households could be forced to choose between eating and heating.
West Dunbartonshire MP Martin Docherty-Hughes said he was seeing first hand the impact of fuel poverty, as he called for more action from the UK Government.
The SNP member said: “At my advice surgeries I’m hearing from more and more constituents worried about the rise in their energy bills due to hit from April.
“It’s sobering to see figures showing that over 40 percent of households in areas like West Dunbartonshire are facing fuel poverty due to the soaring costs of gas and electricity.
“The UK’s cost-of-living crisis is quickly turning into an emergency. With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine expected to further drive up the price of food, petrol, and energy – it’s vital the UK government acts now to avoid a catastrophe of rising poverty.
“Scotland is an energy-rich country, yet under this Westminster government many in our communities are facing difficult choices between heating and eating.
“The Tories cannot be allowed to place the burden of this crisis on those who can least afford it.
“We in the SNP are calling on the Chancellor to use the upcoming Spring Budget statement to urgently deliver a comprehensive package of support for struggling households.”
MSP Jackie Baillie meanwhile called on more action from both the SNP Scottish Government and Conservative Westminster administrations.
She said: “It is incredibly worrying that more than 40 percent of people in West Dunbartonshire are predicted to be in fuel poverty within the next month.
“The cost of living crisis is already hitting people hard and it is only going to get worse.
“It is important that we don’t just stand by and watch but take action before already hard-pressed people in our communities are in crisis.
“Scottish Labour has already published a fully-costed plan which would give every household in Scotland up to £600 based on a windfall tax on the oil and gas sector. The SNP and Tories failed to support this and the SNP government are only giving £150 to people based on their council tax bracket rather than basing it on need.
“This is simply not good enough and urgent action needs to be taken to tackle the cost of living crisis.”
Meanwhile individual households can now apply directly to the £4million fund at www.homeheatingadvice.scot/household-registration to help them with soaring energy bills.
The £4million Scottish Government scheme, administered by national advice service Advice Direct Scotland, is designed to prevent households falling into fuel poverty and help those rationing their energy use.
Ms Baillie encouraged any local residents struggling to seek support.
She added: “I know many people who are struggling to keep their households going at the moment and bills are set to rise even further next month.
“It is a really worrying time but I am pleased that there is support available and I would urge anyone who feels they could benefit from this fund to find out more and apply.”
