SOME people in Scotland face the prospect of freezing or starving this winter, a charity has warned.
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) said soaring energy bills are driving “frightening” demand for advice around food insecurity. It warned it is already seeing an increase in the numbers seeking help ahead of a “toxic cocktail” of soaring energy bills, rising inflation and higher interest rates – and raised concerns about how people will manage later in the year.
The latest CAS quarterly cost of living analysis, which looks at the demand for advice, noted “significant growth” for demand for cost of living related advice within areas such as utilities and food insecurity. Comparing the first quarter of this year to the financial year of 2021/22, demand for cost of living utility advice was up from 26% to 35%, while demand for food insecurity advice was up from 36% to 45%.
Meanwhile views of the online advice page “struggling to pay your energy bills” were up 120% and views of the online advice page “Get help with bills” increased 119%.
CAS chief executive Derek Mitchell said: “The Citizens Advice network gives a wraparound service when people come to us for advice because people have complex problems and need help with multiple issues.
“Our data tracks the patterns and connections between the advice we are giving out and the problems society faces. What we are seeing is frankly frightening. More than one in 10 people seeking help with an energy issue also require help with food insecurity. Let’s be absolutely clear what that means – some people face the prospect of freezing or starving this winter.”
Mitchell added: “This crisis is affecting everyone but some people are especially at risk – our data shows higher demand for advice from council tenants, those out of work and those unable to work.
“That to me suggests broad support alone will not be enough – there needs to be targeted help for the vulnerable. We are seeing these issues before a toxic cocktail this winter of soaring energy bills, growing inflation and higher interest rates. People are hanging on by their fingertips and it’s the summer”
The report also analyses demand across demographics, and found that council-rented tenants and those out of work, or unable to work, are seeking advice related to the cost of living at higher levels than other groups.
CAS urged people to contact it for support. Mitchell said: “We are for everyone regardless of background or circumstance.”
