Dumbarton cost-of-living: Concerns over energy crisis

West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare slammed the lack of government intervention as the energy regulator said companies could charge consumers 80 per cent more than just months ago.

Now council bosses are looking at creating a “warmth network” to help residents retreat to public spaces when they can’t pay for heating this winter.

Clair Coyle, manager of the Foodshare, said: “It’s just horrific. I’ve tried to put it out of my head I’m too furious to think about it.

“Staff are feeling really angry. Nobody seems to be batting an eyelid.”
She said more families, even with two people earning decent wages, are having to turn to food banks for support.

“Last week a woman in her 70s was on the phone in tears,” she said.

“She had no food, was topping up her meter constantly and she had no money left to top it up or buy food.

“And we ended up crying in here.

“We know there’s money in Britain - it’s going all the wrong ways. Nobody in government is caring what’s going on.”

She added: “People need enough money in their pockets to live. We will see people huddling around candles this winter.”

Community Party Councillor Jim Bollan proposed “warmth centres” in June to give residents warm places to retreat to given the price hikes. But it was rejected by Labour councillors. They instead directed £5million to help families with the cost of living.

Warmth centres

Cllr Bollan said: “With the energy cap being raised by 80 per cent and another huge rise expected in January many people will need to choose between heating and eating.

“And sadly many elderly and vulnerable citizens will not make it and die during the winter months. 

“With inflation at 10.3 per cent and likely to rise to 18 per cent in 2023, It is critical we look to provide as much assistance and support we can as a council. 

“Warmth centres would have been one strand of this support locally, but the Labour council shamefully voted the proposal down, as well as refusing to condemn energy disconnections to domestic properties. 

“The government needs to introduce a below inflation price cap similar to France at 4 per cent. The long-term answer is to nationalize all energy provision.”

Labour announced on Monday they were looking at a warmth network and how it could help. 

They said many West Dunbartonshire public buildings are difficult to heat. A warmth network would use public, private and volunteer spaces, such as libraries. Churches and charities could also be included.

Depute council leader Michelle McGinty said: “We don’t expect people to have to walk miles in the rain and snow too get to a warmth centre. 

“Our primary aim is to try to ensure that we provide help and support for people to be able to stay in their own homes but we will also be exploring the development of a West Dunbartonshire warmth network as a practical solution to helping local people in our communities.”

There will be a cost-of-living conference in Clydebank Town Hall on September 10 to find out what local groups are doing and what can be done together.

West Dunbartonshire Council said: “We are committed to supporting people with the rising cost of living and have recently announced planned investment of £5m across West Dunbartonshire including an energy support fund to assist those hardest hit by the cost of living crisis. 

“Our focus is on supporting vulnerable residents within their homes, and we will keep this under review.”

Jackie Baillie MSP (Image: Newsquest)

Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, said: “This is a national emergency and both of our governments have a moral duty to act. They need to pull out all the stops to prevent hard-working people being plunged into severe poverty.

“People here in West Dunbartonshire, Helensburgh and Lomond are really worried about how they will pay their bills while energy giants are posting record profits of billions of pounds. That’s why We need a windfall tax to put money in the pockets of consumers, those who are watching on in fear as their charges are increasing well beyond their household budgets.

“Across the UK we need an energy price freeze now to help millions of households and here in Scotland we need an emergency cost of living act to freeze rents, cut the cost of commuting and support businesses.”