Far too many Scots have had their gas or electricity disconnected over the course of this winter.
We reported that a quarter of those on smart meters had been cut off between July and September last year. That is only the tip of the iceberg, as the situation will have deteriorated dramatically over winter and there is no data for those on traditional pre-payment meters.
Many have been left in the cold and the dark over the last few months, suffering mentally and physically. This will have long-term effects which will put even more pressure on our already struggling hospitals, schools and social services.
It is a human right to have access to heating and electricity. So Anne McLaughlin’s Bill which would ban disconnecting households from gas or electricity should be passed.
It would take away the fear of being cut off from hundreds of thousands of people across the county. It would also give them a grace period to resolve debts and would give them more support – small steps that would make a huge difference.
The tariffs for pre-payment meters should also be reduced to the same level as those on direct debits. This is even more important because those on prepayment meters are often from less well-off backgrounds.
The companies which cut off people’s gas and electricity during winter should be ashamed of themselves. They are greedy and have no compassion for the working-class people of this country.
There should be no need for a law to stop these corporations from taking away people’s energy, but they cannot be trusted to do it on their own.
The UK Government must support McLaughlin’s Bill and protect the public’s right to heating and electricity.
Jim Baxter's 1967 Wembley jersey leaves Scots scratching our heads
Jim Baxter’s dark blue jersey from the historic 1967 Wembley victory in which he taunted England with his keepy-ups is an icon of Scots football.
It says so much about who we are as a nation – the plucky underdog battling against the odds to put one over the proud and the pompous.
So it was no surprise when Jim’s jersey from that game attracted so much attention after being put up for auction.
Described as the “holy grail of football tops”, it was set to fetch £60,000. But as is so often the case with Scottish football, things weren’t that simple.
As the Record reported, there are now at least three jerseys claimed by the owners to be Baxter’s 1967 Wembley top.
Yesterday the story took another twist when the auction of the jersey was halted pending further investigations to establish which one is the real thing.
Slim Jim left the English World Cup winners bamboozled in 1967. So we shouldn’t be surprised he’s still leaving us scratching our heads to this day.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here .
READ NEXT:
Murder accused claims he was 'hunting for buried £200k in cash or drugs'
Ex-mobster Paul Ferris avoided life of crime for 21 years after being spooked by MI5 surveillance
'Our Kids...Our Future' Daily Record calls for action to help curb epidemic of youth violence
Man, 91, charged with murder after his wife, 92, is found dead in their house
Young girl killed in dog attack was mauled by family pet shot dead at scene
Man who built tiny 'eco-home' in person's back garden saves £600-a-month on bills
