Union leader Gary Smith of the GMB has predicted the winter fuel crisis will be like a poll tax moment for a new prime minister. The hated poll tax, and a widespread campaign of non-payment, was one of the factors that did for Margaret Thatcher.
Her self-appointed heir Liz Truss, the likely winner of the Tory leadership contest, would do well to note Smith’s parallels between what could happen in the winter of 2022 and what happened in November 1990. The cost-of-living crisis was long predicted and foreshadowed by 10 long years of Tory austerity.
A war in Europe has supercharged the situation and proved that the much-vaunted market forces of privatisation offer no competitive edge when it comes to providing for the poorest in society. The war will be costly, the winter will be hard, but no responsible government will put the burden on those least able to bear it.
But we don’t have a responsible government. We have a Conservative party in power who couldn’t care less what happens to the most vulnerable in our society.
Ofgem is expected to announce an 80 per cent increase in the maximum price that power companies can charge for gas and electricity. The energy price rise, which could take bills just south of £4000 a year for the average household, is only the first in a series of hikes that will leave UK consumers screaming in financial pain over this winter.
Something has to give.
Euro benefits
Our two biggest football clubs reaching the Champions League group stages is not just great for the Scottish game, it will provide a welcome financial boost to the country as well. Celtic and Rangers taking their places among the elite of the European game is expected to inject £100million into the Scottish economy.
At a time when there is so much bad news around, the achievements of both teams are something to celebrate. Not since 2007 have we seen both Rangers and Celtic grace club football’s premier tournament.
Both sides are on the up, with Rangers reaching the Europa League final last season and Celtic winning the Scottish title in style. Fans can expect some unforgettable nights under the lights as Scotland’s representatives go toe-to-toe with the giants of the game this autumn.
And no matter who you support, we can all go along for the ride.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
