A foodbank has hit out over the latest energy price cap surge – fearing even more residents will be pushed into poverty.
Clair Coyle of West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare (WDCF) said the situation on the ground is “horrific” as families brace themselves for the onslaught of more expensive bills.
Last week, Ofgem boss Jonathan Brearley said the energy price cap is expected to increase to £2,800 a year due to continued volatility in gas prices.
This means the typical household energy bill is set to rise by about £800 a year in October.
It follows a 54 percent rise in the energy price cap in April.
In response, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, announced every household will get a £400 discount on energy bills, while low-income households will get a one-off £650 payment.
As part of the support package, there will also be a £300 winter payment for pensioners and £150 for people in receipt of disability benefits.
But Clair fears the extra cash “won’t touch the surface”, commenting: “We are seeing a massive increase in people that are needing support from us.
“We are also seeing more and more people who are in work having to seek support now more than ever.
“There are people who have previously donated to us that are now contacting us looking for support.
“Things are horrific now. The UK government’s incentives to help with the increase of gas and electricity doesn’t even touch the surface of the increases when more and more people are being pushed into poverty.”
WDCF has been receiving some funding from West Dunbartonshire Council, which is allowing the charity to buy some of the items it’s short on.
However, Claire is fearful about where the foodbank will be, next year, adding: “That isn’t a long term solution.
“For the rest of this year, we are not too worried about sustaining the increase in numbers of those attending, but we will still be needed next year, so we are having to look long term.
“When the new council came in, they said there would be funding available weekly.
“We are still to hear the fine detail on that, and that could help us sustain the increase in numbers.”
West Dunbartonshire SNP MP Martin Docherty-Hughes said it was “shameful” how long it took for the Chancellor to announce the measures.
He said: “Whilst the additional financial support coming to the hardest-hit households is welcome, these one-off payments are a sticking plaster at best when we need long-term solutions to this poverty crisis.
“With Brexit exacerbating soaring food prices, energy bills due to rise again in October, and inflation at a 40 year high - families here still face enormous challenges to make ends meet.
“Far too many of my constituents have been forced to endure cold homes and turn to foodbanks due to the disregard this Westminster government has shown our communities.”
Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton constituency MSP, added: “I would be interested in hearing what the SNP Government will do to help my constituents as household budgets are squeezed even tighter forcing people into poverty.
“Measures such as reducing water bills for every household at a time when Scottish Water sits on almost £500 million worth of reserves, while their senior executives rake in bonuses of up to £92,000 in a single year.”
Scotland’s Finance Secretary Kate Forbes “cautiously welcomed” the support package but warned a long-term solution is still needed.
She said: “Many households will be relieved to see the support belatedly announced last week by the UK Government, but we still need a long-term solution to the cost-of-living crisis and reassurance that the UK Government is going to tackle long-term inequalities rather than provide one-off bursts of crisis support.”
