Rising energy bills could cause a "catastrophic loss of life" if action is not taken by both Westminster and the Scottish Government.
The stark findings were reported by an inquiry into energy prices by a Scottish Parliament committee.
The report by the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy, and Transport Committee, warns that swift action is required to save lives in the coming autumn and winter months as Scots struggle with rising energy bills amidst the cost of living crisis.
Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, sits as Deputy Convener of the Net Zero Energy and Transport Committee and warned action is needed.
The report also called for additional financial support for households, better energy education, and an acceleration of retrofitting and insulation to help vulnerable people through the crisis.
This winter’s increase in energy bills are set to be even higher than predicted according to the head of the regulator Ofgem.
The lower estimate in prices was used by ministers when deciding how much financial support to offer households.
Industry analyst, Cornwall Insight, said that the typical domestic customer was likely to pay £3,244 a year from October this year, and then £3,363 a year from January 2023.
The typical bill at present is around £2,000 a year for the average household - after the last price cap increase in April 2022.
This is already £600 more than the average bill was in October 2021.
Fiona Hyslop MSP said: “It is clear from this report that a pandemic level response will be required to address the needs of those who will suffer the most from these enormous price hikes.
“In Scotland we need more immediate, targeted financial support to those struggling with increasing fuel bills, and any medium and long-term plans and strategies to reduce exposure to volatile energy prices and to meet Net Zero targets, must be accelerated.
“While the Scottish Government has powers over fuel poverty and aspects of social security policy, this is not something that can be fixed by the Scottish Government alone as most Energy policy is controlled by the UK Government .
“That is why we as a cross party committee have written to the UK Government outlining the call for help and highlighting the action that must be taken now by UK Ministers.
“This is an exceptionally serious situation, and I will continue to call upon both Governments to do all they can to help my constituents through this difficult time and would encourage any of my constituents who have concerns about their rising fuel costs to contact Home Energy Scotland to see what types of help you may be entitled to.”
Locals worried about their energy bills can contact Home Energy Scotland for free from on 0808 808 2282.
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