New figures have revealed Police Scotland face a multi-million pound rise in gas and electricity bills at stations across the country. Data, obtained through a freedom of information request, has shown the force is braced for increases of over £4 million on last year - hitting already overstretched policing budgets.
The increases are expected to be covered by existing budgets, with bosses monitoring the situation in a bid to understand the impact on front-line policing. Electricity bills for stations and other authority-run buildings is expected to rise from £7,432,686 in 2021/22 to £8,539,653 in 2022/23 - an increase of £1,106,937.
Similarly, gas bills will also see a large spike across the force, increasing from £2,309,820 in 2021/22 to £5,428,476 in 2022/23 - an increase of £3,118,656.
The news comes as Prime Minister Liz Truss was forced to announce plans to limit gas and electricity bill rises in a scheme that will impose a two-year cap on the unit price of power. The plan will save the typical household £1000 a year, according to government figures.
The average household’s annual gas and electricity bill was due to rise from £1,971 to £3,549 in October. However, the End Fuel Poverty Coalition pressure group estimates that even with the energy price cap frozen at £2,500, some 6.9 million UK households will still face fuel poverty this winter, spending more than ten per cent of their income on heating and lighting, up from 4.6 million last winter.
Despite the stark increase in gas and electricity costs at stations across the country, Police Scotland is confident it can adapt to rising inflation.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Police Association, said: "“Policing is not immune to the rising gas and electricity prices. Utility costs have increased significantly this year and this is being closely tracked through regular reporting to the Authority’s Resources Committee.
"These increased costs are being managed within the overall policing budget for 2022/23 and we will continue to monitor this situation in the period ahead.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Non-pay inflationary pressures for the first quarter of 2022-23 were outlined at the Resources Committee of the Scottish Police Authority on Tuesday, 9 August.
“We will continue to work with the Scottish Police Authority and Scottish Government to understand the implications of inflation for policing. The increased costs are being managed accordingly within the policing budget.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
