More than a third of households across Renfrewshire have been unable to afford to turn their heating on, a new study suggests.
Research carried out for campaign group 38Degrees shines a light on the stark impact of the cost-of-living crisis at a time when the local area has been shivering in sub-zero temperatures.
The study also shows almost three in 10 people in the Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency fear they may have to use a foodbank as they struggle to make ends meet.
And almost one in five are so strapped for cash that they have missed rent payments in the last six months.
The desperate situation has led to calls for UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to use today’s Spring Budget to offer more support to the area’s poorest residents.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, told The Gazette: “All eyes are on the Budget to see what support is on offer to assist households through a cost-of-living crisis of the Tories’ making.
“People and families in Renfrewshire are suffering from a toxic mix of inflation, soaring energy costs, rising mortgage rates and Tory austerity and cannot afford continued inaction from the UK Government.
“If the Chancellor wants to provide, he can start by cutting the Energy Price Guarantee to £2,000 and maintaining the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme to the summer – a move that would save households £1,400.
“The fact that 18 per cent are missing rent payments, 36 per cent are living without heating through the cold months and 29 per cent are relying on foodbanks is a disgrace that should shame the Tories into taking serious action – but I won’t hold my breath.
“These figures have soared, like costs, under Westminster Tory rule and we’re unlikely to see what families desperately need from a party that throughout its existence has lacked the political will to help the most vulnerable.”
A spokesperson for HM Treasury said: “We recognise the impact that rising prices are having at home, which is why we are providing significant support over this year and next – worth on average £3,500 per household.
“This includes holding down energy bills, uplifting benefits and the state pension in line with inflation, increasing the National Living Wage, as well as delivering direct cash payments to millions of vulnerable households.
“Tackling inflation is this government’s priority, with a plan to halve inflation this year and lay the foundations for the long-term growth.”
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