An East Ayrshire food bank boss says they are concerned rising energy prices will have disastrous consequences for many people living on the breadline.
Energy regulator Ofgem last week announced that there would be an 80% rise on the current energy price cap, making it £3,549 from October 1.
The cap will come into effect for around 24 million households in England, Scotland and Wales on default energy tariffs on October 1, and will remain in place until December 31, when it will be adjusted again.
The rise will see the cap jump from £1,277 on October 1 last year, meaning it has increased almost three-fold in a year.
This news has been a devastating revalation for many, with food banks, charities and campaigners all calling for further support to combat the impact of the rise.
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CVO East Ayrshire, which hosts Ayrshire East Foodbank are concerned about the further impact of the increase.
Nicola Caldwell, Deputy Chief Exec at CVO East Ayrshire, said: “We are deeply concerned that today’s announcement of a further price cap rise will be disastrous for people on the lowest incomes and will leave many with no option but to use a food bank.
"In recent months food banks across the UK in the Trussell Trust network have already seen a 50% increase in need compared to before the pandemic.
"These figures highlight what can happen when not enough support is provided, and further price increases will be completely unaffordable for people already struggling to make ends meet.
“We are once again appealing to our local community to help support us by donating food to allow us to continue providing food for the most vulnerable within our community.
"Please donate any non-perishable food items to supplement the food parcels. Donations can be handed in to 11-15 Old Irvine Road, Kilmarnock KA1 2BD”.
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East Ayrshire's Citizens Advice Bureau believe that price hike should be stopped in its tracks.
Similarly, the effect it will have on people wil be devastating, says manager Sarah Hammond.
She said: “This increase should not go ahead. It is absolutely horrifying for people who are hanging on by a thread financially.
“The frightening truth is that people face the very real prospect of freezing or starving this winter without help. We already see a link between demand for energy advice and food insecurity advice, demand for both is rising – even before the weather turns cold.
“We need to see urgent and radical action from policy makers. This crisis is on the scale of the pandemic and it needs a similar level of response."
Politicians have also weighed in on the debate, with one saying that the rise will cost people their lives.
SNP's Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley MSP, Elena Whitham added: "This is going to cost lives. The UK Government must stop navel gazing and get the finger out!
"People are already operating on deficit household budgets and we will see nearly 75% of households pushed into fuel poverty. We need to see the big levers of UK government used to prevent this unfolding tragedy.
"Advice services and local authorities and Scottish Government work to mitigate the worst of the austerity harms can only do so much and many third sector organisations and charities could soon be overwhelmed with need as they too struggle to pay their own energy bills to keep the doors open."
Fellow MSP, Sharon Dowey, of Scottish Conservative and Unionist also believes immediate action has to be taken.
She said: “This is an incredibly serious situation and many households will rightly be concerned about the coming months. We urgently have to deal with this issue and I’d like to see a package of both short and long term measures being introduced as soon as possible once a new prime minister is in office.
“I understand that a substantial package is being put together by the Chancellor of the Exchequer ready for when we have a new Prime Minister; This will be a welcome step and we need to see that implemented immediately.
"The Scottish Government also have a major role to play here, having significant powers at their disposal, and I will be urging them to take immediate action as well.”
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