52% in Stirling Worried Over Energy Bills

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Categories: Constituency, Economics, Inequality, UK Government (Westminster)

Stirling Politicians Condemn UK Gov Cost of Living Response

Alyn Smith MP and Evelyn Tweed MSP have sounded the alarm over the cost of living crisis in Stirling, as new figures show the rapidly declining finances of households across the constituency.

New research commissioned by political activist organisation 38 Degrees, and carried out by renowned pollsters Survation, lays bare the collapse of confidence in the UK Government’s approach to the cost of living crisis – and the real impact of soaring bills on Stirling’s communities:

  • 34% are worried about not being able to pay their rent or mortgage
  • 52% are worried about not being able to pay energy bills 
  • 26% are worried they will need to use a food bank 
  • 28% have missed a bill payment in the last 6 months 
  • 16% have missed a rent payment in the last 6 months 
  • 20% have missed a credit payment in the last 6 months 
  • 43% believe their mental health has been affected because of the cost of living crisis 
  • 70% think that Rishi Sunak and the Tory Government do not understand the impact the cost of living crisis is having on people 
  • 42% have not been able to afford to turn on the heating when they have felt cold in the past month – compared to 37% across Scotland.

Ahead of the UK budget, both Alyn Smith MP and Evelyn Tweed MSP are urging the UK Government to change course, by maintaining current levels of state support for energy bills and doing far more to help struggling households during the cost of living crisis.

Alyn Smith MP said:

‘These figures are truly staggering, and are a damning indictment of a failed economic model across these islands – as well as a broken energy market. More than half of Stirling households worry they will not be able to pay their energy bills – whilst almost one-fifth have already missed a rent payment, and one-third a bill payment. The warning lights are fully flashing on the UK economic dashboard, and the Prime Minister cannot sit back as households and businesses plunge into debt and despair. This is happening on his Government’s watch.

‘The Chancellor should scrap any notion of reducing state support for energy bills, and in fact increase funding to prevent households freezing. Food poverty (not helped by Brexit-related food shortages), cold homes and added financial stress will only mount further strain on our social support and healthcare systems. As ever, the UK Government are following the false economy of cuts today and leaving problems for tomorrow – which will cost us all far, far more in the long-run.’

‘The Prime Minister, his Chancellor and the whole UK Government must urgently get a grip on the situation, recognising the pressing need across Stirling and everywhere else across Scotland and these islands – and get support to where it is badly needed. Their own economic incompetence has worsened this disaster – and the people of Stirling deserve better.’

Evelyn Tweed MSP said:

‘This research piece makes for truly chilling reading. In a country as energy-rich as Scotland, it is completely wrong for communities to be freezing in their homes as the UK Government mismanages our energy systems and policies. Over a quarter of the people of Stirling are worried they will need to rely on a foodbank to feed themselves; many have missed bills and are fearful they’ll miss more. This is an economic and social catastrophe, and the UK Prime Minister must act.

‘I understand global factors are at play – including Russia’s barbaric re-invasion of Ukraine. But after a decade of Tory austerity, communities and our local economy have been left weakened by terrible macroeconomic management by the UK Government. Right now, the communities I represent need support. I urge Rishi Sunak to stop delaying and start acting to roll back this disaster which is unfolding in countless Stirling households and businesses.’

Notes:

Interactive data and dashboard can be found here.