Families facing fuel poverty took their outrage over soaring prices to the doorstep of the energy regulator yesterday as they demanded an end to an “avoidable” crisis.
Ofgem confirmed the energy price cap would, based on an average household’s consumption, rise to £3,549 per year from October.
The cap is currently £1,971 for the average household and limits how much providers can charge customers in Scotland, England and Wales.
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It is a price hike Paisley activists are determined to see reversed.
Members of the town’s Star Project and Ferguslie Park’s Darkwood Crew say they are ready to fight against a policy which will have a “catastrophic” impact on families.
Demanding government intervention, Terry McTernan, of the Darkwood Crew, told the Express it was time organisations like his started to fight the causes and not just the symptoms of crippling poverty.
Speaking before he left for the protest outside Ofgem’s Glasgow office, he said: “Today’s announcement for a community like Ferguslie Park is catastrophic.
“People here are already living in fuel poverty.
“This idea that we will all have to struggle on is ridiculous. People don’t have the ability to struggle any further.
“We have noticed a significant increase in demand for our services and that is increasing all the time.
“It may sound like a cliché, but this is a bigger health emergency than the pandemic and our lived experience is demonstrating that.”
Terry and his volunteers work round the clock to help fight the effects of the cost-of-living crisis in their community.
They host a community market offering £15 worth of food for £2.50 and organise regular lunch clubs, providing food and a warm environment for Paisley pensioners.
He believes real change will only come with government support, and insists he and his neighbours are ready to take a stand.
He added: “It has come to the point where there is nothing left for community organisations to do but stand up and say this is can’t go on.
“So there has to be a conversation about how we empower people to get their voices heard and today is about taking that first step.
“There will be a group of us from Ferguslie Park joining in with the protest.”
Sharon McAulay heads up the Star Project, whose members have already taken part in demonstrations outside the Glasgow headquarters of SSE.
Sharon, her colleagues and friends of the Star Project were ready to send a strong message to decision makers yesterday with their placards warning hundreds will die of the cold this winter.
They urged bosses to ‘Freeze prices not people’, adding that the people’s resistance is rising, just like the prices.
Sharon said: “Given the continued inaction of UK Government, it’s now vital people stand together to say enough is enough.
“They have the ability and resources to do something to prevent this humanitarian crisis, but they have so far made the political choice not to intervene.
“So, once again, we’ll be joining Power To The People at today’s Ofgem protest to show our solidarity. It’s time to shout loudly.”
Meanwhile, Roar, the organisation that supports older people across Renfrewshire, is warning of the impacts the price rise will have on cash-strapped pensioners.
Its head, Cassie Forbes, said: “We want to make sure people are aware of their benefits.
“If a pensioner’s household income is less than £10,400, they are entitled to additional benefits, including pension credits.
“It’s overwhelmingly undersubscribed and could help.
“We’re planning to put together warm packs and Station Seven, where we’re based in Johnstone, will be a warm place for people to come and get a heat during the cold months.
“It’s going to be a choice between eating or heating for so many.”
Cassie urged anyone who may need help or who might have a friend or family member in need, to get in touch on 0141 889 7481.
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