Almost 100000 people in Scotland turn to charity to pay energy bills

We can exclusively reveal the total figure was 96,942.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 27th May 2024

Nearly 100,000 people across Scotland turned to one charity to help them pay for their gas and electric last winter.

We can exclusively reveal the total figure was 96,942 with Glasgow topping the chart as the place where the most homes needed help.

Matt Cole from Fuel Bank Foundation told MFR: "A very wide range oh homes are seeking help rom us.

"Historically, before the pandemic and the energy crisis, we would typically be helping those on a really low income.

"Now we are seeking working families in education and health, but don't have the funds to keep the meter running."

What is the picture like in your area?

Aberdeen City 2,607

Aberdeenshire 932

Angus 654

Argyll and Bute 1,266

City of Edinburgh 8,664

Clackmannanshire 1,814

Dumfries and Galloway 2,199

Dundee City 4,226

East Ayrshire 1,994

East Dunbartonshire 610

East Lothian 879

East Renfrewshire 756

Falkirk 2,666

Fife 5,153

Glasgow City 19,883

Highland 2,197

Inverclyde 1,143

Midlothian 1,000

Moray 1,075

Na h-Eileanan Siar 13

North Ayrshire 2,031

North Lanarkshire 5,469

Orkney Islands 313

Perth and Kinross 2,297

Renfrewshire 4,897

Scottish Borders 2,758

Shetland Islands 569

South Ayrshire 3,231

South Lanarkshire 7,656

Stirling 2,180

West Dunbartonshire 1,372

Last week, Ofgem announced the energy price cap would be falling by £122 a year from July.

That means a household using a typical amount of electricity and gas would pay £1,568 a year.

Matt added: "Bills used to be around £1,000 or £1,100 a year which is around 45% lower than what they are now.

"Much more support is needed."

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