COST OF LIVING CRISIS: Energy price rises will plunge more people into fuel poverty, warns chief executive of New Start Highland
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The rise in household energy bills will plunge more people into fuel poverty, the boss of a Highland charity has warned.
James Dunbar, chief executive of New Start Highland which is dedicated to reducing poverty, described impending price rises as "utterly horrific".
He joined a growing chorus calling for immediate government action following the announcement by energy regulator, Ofcom, that the typical household gas and electricity bill will hit £3549 a year from October.
More on the cost-of-living crisis
"It is going to plunge many people into fuel poverty – including many people who would never have considered themselves near fuel poverty," Mr Dunbar said.
"It is going to be absolutely horrendous. The impact is ghastly and difficult to contemplate on the least wealthy in society."
Mr Dunbar was worried about the anxiety and fear people were facing while waiting to hear what decisions the UK government would make – after the outcome of the Conservative Party leadership election.
"My concern is for people who are finding themselves in a dark situation and need reassurance," he said.
"I think the government needs to step in and do something now.
"We will play our part and do what we can to ease the pain caused to individuals in poverty.
"I have great confidence in the Highland community. People tend to pull together."
The impact of the energy price rises is set to be particularly hard in the Highlands where fuel poverty rates are among the highest in Scotland.
Households in the region already pay more per unit for electricity than other parts of the UK due to higher transmission charges despite the area producing much of the UK’s onshore renewable energy.
Also, many Highland homes do not have access to gas and are reliant on electricity to heat their homes which is more expensive.
