Scots of working age feel worse about their finances than those living elsewhere in the UK, a report has found.
Researchers have monitored the personal finances of around 6,000 households across Britain since the beginning of the covid pandemic including 552 in Scotland.
They found that an estimated one in five households - equivalent to 1.2 million Scots - are currently living in serious financial difficulty.
The report, carried out by the Financial Fairness Trust, found that 24 per cent of Scots strongly agreed that it was a "constant struggle" to meet their bills and main financial commitments, compared to 20 per cent elsewhere.
Households were also found to be taking measures to counteract the rising cost of living - with 80 per cent reported avoiding turning on the heating at some point and 51 per cent reduced use of the cooker.
Mubin Haq, CEO of Financial Fairness Trust, said: "Millions in Scotland are worried about their finances – three-in-four working-age households are anxious.
"The cost-of-living crisis, especially increasing fuel bills, are impacting many more people than in the rest of the UK. It is very troubling that one-in-five Scots are in serious financial difficulties compared to one-in-six in the rest of the UK.
"It is encouraging to see early indications that Scottish Government support for families with children may be improving their financial wellbeing compared to households in England.
"But the government needs to go further. The Scottish Government’s support for a Minimum Income Guarantee could deliver improved living standards in Scotland, and it is vital this is progressed to reduce the financial anxieties too many face."
John Dickie, director of the Child Poverty Action Group, "It’s hugely concerning to see increasing numbers of households in Scotland facing severe financial difficulty, but the indication that the Scottish Child Payment is already making a difference for families with children is a beam of light in an otherwise gloomy picture.
"It points the way to the further action needed to boost incomes through jobs and social security.
"It is vital now that the Scottish Government increases the new Child Payment in line with inflation from April so that it maintains its real terms value, and at the same time works with employers to improve the earnings of those most at risk of poverty.
"But we also need to see the UK Government act to restore the value of UK social security and introduce a social tariff for those struggling most with energy costs."
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We remain concerned at the cost of living crisis which is putting a huge strain on households, with Brexit only deepening the economic damage and leading to soaring prices.
"This is why the Scottish Government has allocated almost £3 billion in this financial year for a range of measures which will help mitigate the impacts of the cost of living crisis on households.
"This includes £1 billion is for support only available in Scotland, including measures to protect tenants impacted by the cost of living crisis and investment in social security.
"Anyone struggling with money is encouraged to seek information on sources of support from our Cost of Living website."
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