With the festive period now in full swing, many homeowners are eager to deck their halls with twinkling Christmas lights. However, with the rising cost of energy, it is crucial to consider the financial implications of illuminating your home for the festive season. So, how much does it really cost to run Christmas lights in 2024?
Below, energy expert Dan Moore at PriceYourJob.co.uk delves into the factors that can affect the cost of running Christmas lights and provide you with some practical tips to minimise your energy consumption:
Understanding the Factors Affecting Energy Consumption
The cost of running your Christmas lights is influenced by several key factors. Take a look at the list below to gauge a better understanding of what may increase or decrease the cost of running your Christmas lights:
The Number of Lights – The more lights you use, the higher your energy consumption will be. A small string of lights will naturally consume less energy than a larger, more elaborate display.
The Wattage of the Lights – The wattage of a light bulb determines the amount of energy it consumes. Higher-wattage bulbs consume more energy than lower-wattage bulbs. LED lights are significantly more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, making them a popular choice for Christmas decorations.
The Number of Hours of Use – The longer your lights are on, the higher your energy consumption will be. Consider using timers to automatically turn your lights on and off, reducing the number of hours they are in operation.
The Current Energy Price Cap – The UK government’s energy price cap sets a limit on the amount suppliers can charge for standard variable tariffs. Fluctuations in the energy market can impact the cost of electricity. This, in turn, will affect the cost of running your Christmas lights.
Calculating the Cost of Running Christmas Lights
To estimate the cost of running your Christmas lights, you can use the following formula:
Cost = (Power consumption in watts x Hours of use per day x Days of use) / 1000 x Unit sot of electricity
For example, let’s assume you have a string of 100 LED lights with a total wattage of 5 watts. If you run them for 6 hours per day for 30 days, and the current cost of electricity is £0.24p per kWh, the calculation would be:
Cost = (5 watts x 6hours/day x 30 days) 1000 x £0.24p/kWh = £0.216p
So, running this string of lights for 30 days would cost approximately £0.216p.
Tips to Reduce Energy Costs and Environmental Impact
Although the overall cost of running Christmas lights is fairly low, there are several things that you can do to reduce energy costs and the environmental impact. Here are some practical tips to minimise the cost and environmental impact of running your Christmas lights:
Choose Energy-Efficient Lights – LED lights are significantly more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. They consume less energy and last longer, making them a cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice.
Use Timers – Employ timers to automatically turn your Christmas lights on and off. This can help you save energy and reduce your electricity bill. Consider using smart plugs or timers that can be controlled remotely as this will allow you to better adjust the lighting schedule as needed.
Consider Solar–Powered Lights – Solar-powered lights are an excellent eco-friendly option, especially for outdoor decorations. They harness energy from the sun, reducing your reliance on grid electricity.
Turn Off The Lights When Not Needed – While it may seem obvious, make sure to turn off your lights when they are not in use. This simple habit can help you save energy and reduce your carbon footprint.
Insulate Your Home – Improving your home’ insulation can help reduce heat loss, leading to lower energy consumption. Well-insulated homes require less energy to maintain a comfortable temperature. This can indirectly impact your electricity bill.
Opt for Natural Light – During the daylight hours, open your curtains and blinds to maximise natural light. This can reduce the need for artificial lighting and help you save energy.
Embrace Minimalist Lighting – Consider a minimalist approach to your Christmas lighting. Instead of over-decorating your home, instead focus on creating a few key focal points. This can help you reduce energy consumption without sacrificing the festive atmosphere.
Which Type of Christmas Lights Are Cheapest to Run?
LED Christmas lights are the most energy-efficient choice. These lights consume significantly less energy compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. With this in mind, LED Christmas lights tend to be the most popular choice.
Here’s why LED lights are more cost-effective:
Lower Energy Consumption – LED lights use significantly less energy to produce the same amount of light as traditional incandescent bulbs.
Longer Lifespan – LED lights have a much longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs, reducing the need for replacements.
Durability – LED lights are more durable and resistant to damage, ensuring they last longer and require less maintenance.
By choosing LED lights, you can significantly reduce your energy consumption and lower your electricity bills during the festive season.
Final Thoughts
While the festive glow of Christmas lights adds undeniable cheer to the holiday season, it’s important to be mindful of the impact they have on your energy consumption and wallet. By understanding the factors that influence the cost of running Christmas lights and embracing energy-saving practices, you can create a dazzling display without breaking the bank or harming the environment.
Embrace LED technology! LED lights are the clear winner when it comes to cost-effectiveness and environmental responsibility. Their low energy consumption, long lifespan, and durability make them the perfect choice for your holiday lighting needs.
Remember, small changes can make a big difference. Consider implementing some of the tips we’ve discussed, like employing timers and maximising natural light. Every step you take towards reducing energy consumption contributes to a more sustainable festive season.
So, this holiday season, illuminate your home with confidence. With a little planning and the right approach, you can enjoy the magic of Christmas lights while keeping your energy bills merry and bright!
DAN MOORE: DanMooreworked as a heating engineer and boiler installer for several years before moving on to work as a domestic energy assessor, inspecting properties and producing EPC reports.Danalso provides expert advice on heating systems and energy efficiency on behalf ofPriceYourJob.co.uk andDan’s expertise has been featured in a range of publications both online and in print.
JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION’s COST OF LIVING TRACKER – WINTER 2024
The Government must tackle stagnant levels of hardship as part of their mission for growth, with worse living standards to come if no action is taken.
As Rachel Reeves unveiled her first budget for the new Labour Government, the 7th wave of our cost of living tracker captured the experiences of low-income households in the UK.
Collected between 8 and 31 October, surveying 4,065 households in the bottom 40% of incomes, our key measures of hardship remain entirely unchanged from 6 months ago, despite some key economic conditions easing. We find in October 2024 (see Figure 1):
7 million low-income households (60%) were going without the essentials in the previous 6 months, including 5.4 million experiencing food insecurity in the previous 30 days
4.3 million low-income households (37%) were in arrears on at least one household bill or credit commitment.
We also find around a 3rd of households (34% or 4 million households) held a loan they originally took out to pay for food, housing or essential bills worth around £9.6 billion in October 2024.
These findings of stalled progress track with our microsimulation modelling, which shows that disposable incomes after housing costs are forecast to fall over the rest of this parliament. Households in the bottom 40% of incomes are projected to be £440 worse off per year in real terms by October 2029, compared to October 2024.
If the Government are serious about ending the need for emergency food parcels, tackling child poverty and growing the economy, they must take bold action to prevent living standards from deteriorating further, and build strong foundations for household economic security for the future.
Economic context: flatlining disposable incomes
Our modelling shows that disposable incomes after housing costs for households in the bottom 40% of incomes fell in October 2021 and have flatlined since (see Figure 2).
This is caused by a complex economic picture of high prices and recovering wages:
Inflation has returned broadly to target since April 2024, at around 2%, however high inflation since the end of 2021 has baked in higher prices in areas such as food, and other costs such as energy are rising again.
Private rents have continued to increase ahead of inflation, up 8.7% in the year to October 2024.
Interest rates have now seen two cuts, to 4.75%, but the full impact of elevated interest rates is still feeding through to mortgage costs.
Real earnings growth returned from mid-2023, but has slowed this year, while the National Living Wage increased by 9.8% in April 2024.
From April 2024, benefit rates were uprated by 6.7%, and LHA was unfrozen with an average annual increase of £785 per household, so our data reflects several months of these uprated payments.
Going without essentials
The number of low-income households going without essentials like food, heating and showers remains at 7 million in October 2024, entirely unchanged from 6 months ago. This number has not dropped below 7 million since October 2022, showing persistent and embedded hardship in the UK (see Figure 3a).
Low-income households are routinely going without enough food, with 5.4 million unable to afford enough food in the 30 days prior to the survey in October 2024 (46%). This includes 5.2 million families cutting down or skipping meals (44%), and 3.8 million going hungry (32%) (see Figure 3b). While food insecurity is down from a peak of 5.9 million households, or half of all low-income households in October 2023, it is unchanged from May 2024 (46%).
Some groups within low-income households continue to face very high risk of going without essentials. In October 2024, 86% of low-income households on Universal Credit (UC) went without essentials and 82% of low-income private renters in receipt of housing benefits.
Neither group has seen any improvement since the last survey, with uprating and unfreezing of housing benefits in April 2024 only maintaining existing levels of hardship. Other demographics at high risk of going without essentials include 87% of lone parents and 85% of families with 3 or more children, around 8 in 10 households with a black respondent (81%) and around three quarters of private (76%) and social renters (75%) (see Figure 3c).
For the first time, we can report on families in receipt of different health and disability related elements of UC, who will be amongst those subject to the Government’s benefit reform.
We find around 9 in 10 low-income households receiving the Limited Capability for Work element (90%) and Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity element (88%) were going without essentials in October 2024.
The recent Get Britain Working white paper signalled a welcome reset in approach to supporting disabled people into work. But making arbitrary cost savings of £3 billion the starting point for reforms risks undermining this and leaves uncertainty hanging over disabled people at greatest risk of hardship.
We have also seen no progress on the depth of hardship, with the number of essentials households are going without flatlining. Of those who are going without essentials, we have consistently seen around a 3rd going without 4 or more essentials in every wave of the survey (see Figure 3d). Families on Universal Credit are almost twice as likely to be going without 4 or more essentials than families not on any benefits in October 2024 (45% compared to 24%).
There has been no progress on the number of households in arrears, with 4.3 million low-income households (37%) behind on at least one household bill or credit commitment in October 2024, completely unchanged from the 6 months before (see Figure 4a).
Overall low-income households owe around £6.1 billion in arrears across all household bills and credit commitments. £2.3 billion of this is owed on bills with high consequences if you fall behind, including council tax, rent or mortgage payments and energy bills. For example, falling behind on council tax bills could make you liable to pay a years’ worth of council tax immediately. In October 2024 12% of low-income families are in arrears on their council tax, owing an average amount of £540.
Around 1.5 million low-income households (13%) are currently in arrears on their energy bills before we even head into winter. Those who are behind owe an average of around £500, and 58% of these households are in arrears with 4 or more different bills. A member of JRF’s Grassroots Poverty Action Group told us how normally over the summer period they are able to get on top of energy bills they have fallen behind on during the winter, but this summer that wasn’t possible.
Rent arrears also remain stubbornly high, with 18% of renters behind on their rent, largely unchanged since October 2021. They owe an average of £620 in arrears for rent alone. We find 13% of renters prioritised their housing bills over their other bills in the last 12 months, but 38% of those who did that were unfortunately still in arrears with their rent, showing that many low-income renters are out of options. Arrears for mortgage holders have improved however, with 12% in arrears in October 2024 compared to 16% a year ago in October 2023.
Within low-income families, some groups experience far greater risk of being in arrears. Families where someone has caring responsibilities are almost twice as likely to be behind on their bills compared to families where there are no carers (55% compared to 29%), and are unsurprisingly more likely to be going without essentials too (76% compared to 53%).
Other groups continue to be at elevated risk of being behind on their bills, including 66% of households with a black respondent, and 6 in 10 families with 3 or more children (62%) (see Figure 4b).
However there are some positive trends with some of the most at-risk groups seeing a sustained fall in the proportion in arrears, including households with respondents aged 18-24, families on Universal Credit and lone parents. While still incredibly high, these are at least moving in the right direction.
As with the overall picture of arrears, progress on the depth of arrears has stalled. There had been a steady downwards trend in the amount of money families owed following a peak in October 2022 of £1,630, but this had stopped in October 2024. Of those in arrears, the average amount owed was around £1,430.
In May 2024 we saw a promising sign of the proportion of households behind on 4 or more bills falling, however this hasn’t continued in October 2024 with 3 in 10 or 1.3 million families who are in arrears behind on 4 or more bills (31%) (see Figure 4c). Being behind on multiple lending commitments and bills to different providers negatively impacts people’s credit file and their ability to borrow in future.
Being behind on your bills is one type of debt, while another is where families have used credit to pay for things. Taking on a loan in and of itself isn’t a bad thing, however it becomes concerning when families rely on credit to cover essentials, can only access high-cost credit, or fall behind on repayments.
While many of our key measures of hardship have remained unchanged, the proportion of low-income families who hold loans they took out to pay for essential costs has moved in the wrong direction. In October 2024, 4 million low-income households (34%) held £9.6 billion of loans they originally took out to pay for food, housing or essential bills like council tax or energy (see Figure 5a).
This is very similar to a year ago, when 3.8 million low-income households (32%) owed £9.2 billion for these essentials loans. Taking on debt to pay for essentials has not been enough to prevent hardship, with nearly 9 in 10 of these families going without essentials in October 2024 (88%) and 7 in 10 behind on their bills (71%).
In October 2024, 2.2 million low-income families (19%) held high-cost credit loans, from unregulated lenders (loan sharks), doorstop lenders, payday lenders or pawnshops (see Figure 5b). The proportion who hold these loans had been falling since October 2022, but it has now risen for the first time. While the value of high-cost credit and unregulated loans has increased to £3.2 billion in October 2024, it is still lower than a year ago, at £4.1 billion in October 2023.
The total amount of debt across all unsecured loans and credit (see methodology note) currently held by low-income households has also increased in October 2024 to £23 billion, up from £19 billion in May 2024 (see Figure 5c). While still less than the £26 billion peak in October 2022, debt levels are now back to levels seen in October 2023 (£22 billion). The proportion of families who hold each type of debt in October 2024 mirror our findings in October 2023. It is largely the proportion of households holding each type of loan which has driven the total amount of debt held back up, rather than the amount of debt held for each loan type increasing.
During the cost of living crisis there was a tightening in the availability of affordable credit, due to stricter eligibility requirements, high interest rates and regulatory changes. These factors are likely to have contributed to the fall in loans between October 2022 and May 2024. As interest rates now ease, the availability of unsecured credit now appears to be increasing according to lenders surveyed by the Bank of England.
The proportion of low-income families who applied for loans or credit stayed the same from May to October 2024 at 55%, with three quarters of those who applied approved (75%). However there was a decrease in the proportion of those who applied and were declined in the previous 6 months, down from 14% in May 2024 to 9% in October 2024. We will continue to monitor this, a greater availability of credit may allow more families to take on loans, as seen in the reduction in families being refused credit in the last 6 months.
The October 2024 Budget was big in terms of the increased tax take and investment, but in reality will deliver very little change for low-income households. There were some positive changes such as restoring spending on public services, reducing the amount of deductions from benefits and extending the Household Support Fund (albeit at a lowered level). However our modelling shows these changes will only have limited impact for low-income families and Government must go much further to meaningfully shift the dial on hardship.
Using microsimulation modelling we converted macroeconomic forecasts from the OBR into household-level impacts for the bottom 40% of incomes to show the outlook over the rest of this parliament1. We find that average disposable incomes after housing costs are projected to be £440 per year lower in real terms in 2029, than they are in October 2024. This is largely being driven by rising housing costs, which we can see (from Figure 6a) means that relatively flat gross incomes lead to declining net (post-tax, disposable) incomes once housing costs are taken into account.
Our latest modelling shows the variation in experiences for households across the income distribution. While households across the income distribution are forecast to see their living standards fall throughout the rest of the parliament, households in the bottom 20% of incomes see a significantly larger proportional drop (see Figure 6b).
This story has yet again set out the embedded levels of hardship facing low-income households in the UK, alongside modelling which shows a stark warning that things are projected to get much worse over the rest of this parliament.
JRF is calling for the Government to place economic security for households at the centre of their mission for growth, to place growth on a surer footing and ensure change is felt by households who need it the most.
Firstly, the Government must make immediate progress on bringing down hardship by:
introducing a protected minimum amount of support 15% below Universal Credit’s current basic rate, as a first step towards an Essentials Guarantee – this would restrict the amount of reductions to benefit payments, including from debt repayments and the benefit cap
reforming the Household Support Fund and Local Welfare Assistance in England so everyone has somewhere to turn for immediate cash help in a crisis
unfreezing LHA and permanently relinking it to local rents
expanding the Warm Home’s Discount, to increase the level of support and widen eligibility to include people in receipt of disability benefits
increasing the rate of means tested benefits for carers, to help protect those on the lowest incomes from poverty
from 2025, not pursuing similar cuts to those planned by the previous Government, and committed to by Labour, to Universal Credit’s Work Capability Assessment ‘activities and descriptors’
scrapping the ‘two-child limit’ on support for children in Universal Credit and tax credits.
Secondly, the Government must also build the foundations of a stronger social settlement that can provide real economic security for families now and in the future. This would mean an Essentials Guarantee in Universal Credit to ensure everyone has a protected minimum amount of support to afford essentials like food and household bills.
It would also mean reform to the housing system, including increased funding for social house building. It would mean introducing an energy social tariff, that will support low- and middle-income households through the transition to net zero, by targeting the high and rising energy costs families are facing.
It would mean reducing risks for disabled people wanting to work and improving trust in the social security system, by working with disabled people to develop a replacement for the Work Capability Assessment and implementing a comprehensive Work Transition Guarantee.
And finally, a rethink of our care infrastructure so that parents have access to the right kind of childcare that allows them to work if they want to, as well as proper financial support for people who need to temporarily step away from work to help care for a loved one.
Together, these changes build strong foundations in the social security system to build lasting economic security for all, so that we can finally stop reporting that 7 million low-income households are going without essentials.
Scottish Book Trust has announced that it will gift books to children and families visiting food banks this winter including Community One Stop Shop (3 Broomhouse Market) as well as Edinburgh Children’s Hospital, and primary school children.
The charity has been inundated with requests, from food banks and local authorities across Scotland, to support more vulnerable children and families facing challenging circumstances.
While the cost of living crisis continues, over a million people in Scotland are already living in poverty, a quarter of which are children.1 Too many children are growing up without books and the impact of this lasts a lifetime. Children and young people who don’t have a book of their own are twice as likely to have lower mental health.2
The charity’s Christmas Appeal 2024 will feature Eric Carle’s iconic and well-loved children’s book character, The Very Hungry Caterpillar with kind permission from Penguin Random House LLC and The World of Eric Carle.
Marc Lambert, CEO Scottish Book Trust, commented: “The power of books and the importance of children and young people having access to books should not be underestimated. Reading has the power to redress the impacts of disadvantage.
“We know the difference that books make in children’s lives and we want to ensure no child misses out. Books bring comfort, escapism and togetherness in families. Every child deserves the magic of a book and donations to our appeal will provide vital support for those most in need.”
Mary Mekarnom, Senior Director, Creative & Strategy, World of Eric Carle Penguin Random House, said “We are so happy that we can help support Scottish Book Trust’s Christmas Appeal this holiday season.
“Eric Carle used to say that he did not see children as a group. He saw a child, a child, a child. Meaning every child has individual needs and has a different way of learning or responding to a book.
“We are hopeful that The Very Hungry Caterpillar can help support this appeal and make a difference in the lives of each individual child and family in need.”
Over the past three years, the charity has given over 290,000 books to children in need of our support and living in areas of deprivation through food banks, community hubs and other charities.
Funds raised from the appeal will enable Scottish Book Trust to give books to families, via food banks, other charities and community hubs, and deliver more of its life-changing work.
Some examples of its programmes include specialist support for young families facing significant challenges through Bookbug for the Home, providing tactile books for children with additional support needs and supporting those living with dementia and the people who care for them.
To learn more about Scottish Book Trust’s Christmas appeal, visit:
Best performance since national target was set – but charities say targets are still being missed
Almost 90% of children and young people accessing mental health services started treatment within 18 weeks of referral from July to September – the best performance since a national target was introduced a decade ago.
Latest Public Health statistics show 89.1% of those who were assessed as suitable for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) were seen within 18 weeks – the Scottish Government target is 90%.
The figure is up five percentage points on the previous quarter and 13.5 percentage points on the same quarter the previous year.
Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd said: “We are working hard to ensure that everyone gets the support they need, when they need it, so the continued improvement in CAMHS waiting times is very welcome.
“These positive figures are testament to the dedication of the staff who work so hard to help the children and young people they care for. While the national standard applies only to each quarter, it is also encouraging that the highest ever monthly performance – 91.3% was recorded in September.
“However we know there is still more to do, which is why we have provided local authorities with more than £65 million, since 2020, to develop and deliver community-based mental health support for children, young people and their families. We have also invested £16 million a year to work towards ensuring every secondary school in Scotland has access to school counselling services.”
Children 1st Chief Executive, Mary Glasgow.
Responding to the latest CAMHS quarterly waiting list figures, Children First chief executive Mary Glasgow said: “Today’s figures show thousands of children are still in desperate need of support.
“It’s a decade since the Scottish Government committed to 90 percent of CAMHS referrals being seen within 18 weeks. This target has still not been met.
“Our teams across Scotland are supporting young people who are frightened, worried, anxious and need help now. The fact remains that children are often not getting support until they are in severe distress. This must stop.
“Ahead of tomorrow’s budget, the Scottish Government must invest more in early help and support to prevent children reaching crisis point.
“We want to see more funding so that families can quickly get support for their children when they need it.”
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, is calling on the Scottish Government to deliver a budget for mental health tomorrow (4th December).
The call comes as the latest waiting time figures from Public Health Scotland published today (3rd December), indicate that 115 children and young people had been waiting over a year for treatment from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in the quarter ending September 2024.1
The figures also show that a total of 4,231 children and young people were still stuck on waiting lists to start treatment at the end of that quarter.
This comes against the background of an increasing level of violent incidents in the classroom, a result in part due to the current mental health emergency, exacerbated by the long shadow of the Covid lockdown and cost-of-living crisis.
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, cases of poor mental health in children and young people were at unprecedented levels, with under-resourced services struggling to keep pace with growing demand, leaving an increasing number of vulnerable individuals unable to access support
However, it should be noted that despite this challenging situation, only 0.75 per cent of the total NHS budget was spent on CAMHS in the 2023/23 financial year.2
Indeed, spend on mental health services generally has declined by 4.5 per cent in real terms over the past three years.
The SCSC is calling the Scottish Government to up its game in the budget and make the treatment of mental health issues a key national priority, prioritising spending and avoiding a potential lost generation of children and young people with mental health problems.
A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “The latest figures highlighting that more than 4,200 children and young people are still waiting for treatment from mental health services, with 115 waiting over a year, is extremely alarming.
“We are facing a mental health emergency and many of our children and young people are at breaking point, with stress and anxiety reaching alarming levels as they battle with the long shadow of lockdown and the rising cost of living. This is also having a major effect on classroom behaviour, impacting the young people concerned, their fellow pupils and staff.
“Each one of these statistics is an individual, and we would urge the Scottish Government to up its game and make the adequate resourcing of mental health services for our children and young people an absolute priority in the forthcoming budget.”
Universal payments to be reinstated from next year
The Scottish Government will provide universal support through the introduction of Pension Age Winter Heating Payments next year ensuring a payment for every pensioner household in winter 2025-26.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has confirmed that on the roll-out of the new benefit next winter, pensioners in receipt of a relevant qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit will be receiving Pension Age Winter Heating Payments of £300 or £200, depending on their age. Meanwhile all other pensioner households will receive £100 from next winter, providing them with support not available anywhere else in the UK.
Ms Somerville also announced a £41 million package of support for people struggling with energy costs this winter. These measures include an additional £20 million which will be provided for the Scottish Welfare Fund, to enable councils to provide more vital support to people in crisis this winter.
An additional £20 million will be invested into the Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme, the national fuel poverty scheme which helps people install energy efficiency measures and more efficient heating systems, saving on average around £300 per year in household energy bills.
Meanwhile grant-funding of £1 million will be made available to registered social landlords and third sector partners to fund work to help sustain tenancies and prevent homelessness. This is in response to calls from a coalition of housing and anti-poverty organisations for a shift in spending from crisis intervention to prevention.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1862188516400120274
Ms Somerville said: “The measures I have announced today will go some way to allay the fears of pensioners in Scotland ahead of next winter, but the Scottish Government recognises that more must be done.
“Ahead of next winter I will bring forward regulations to introduce universal Pension Age Winter Heating Payments in winter 2025-26 for Scottish pensioners.
“This universal benefit – providing much needed support not available anywhere else in the UK – will deliver support for all pensioner households as we had always intended to do before the UK Government decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments cut the funding available to support our new benefit in Scotland this winter by £147 million.
“We will not abandon older people this winter or any winter. We will do our best to make sure no-one has to make a decision between heating and eating, and we will continue to protect pensioners”.
Reacting to yesterday’s announcement by the Scottish Government, Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age said: “The reintroduction of winter heating support for all pensioners in Scotland from next winter is welcome and will offer some comfort to the 900,000 pensioners who were set to completely lose the previous Winter Fuel Payment.
“Since the decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only older people on Pension Credit, we’ve seen a surge in the number of older people getting in touch with Independent Age who are worried about heating their homes, and making ends meet, through the winter. Many have told us they are heating only one room, staying in bed all day with a blanket, and cutting back on food to avoid the energy costs associated with cooking.
“With energy prices set to rise again in January, and a staggering 330,000 older households living in fuel poverty in Scotland, it is clear that changing the eligibility of the payment in this way was the wrong decision. It is positive that this has been recognised in Scotland, with the Scottish Government making a payment available to all older people next year, and we hope the UK Government will also reconsider their decision.
“In a compassionate and socially just society, no one should face fuel poverty. We are pleased the Scottish Government has listened to older people, and taken this action today. However, we remain concerned about older people who face this winter without this much needed financial support.
“Going forward, the Scottish Government should continue to monitor the situation and be open to taking further action in future.”
A spokesperson for AGE SCOTLAND said: “Bringing back an energy support payment for all pensioners is very good news and will be a huge relief. It shows the power of this campaign and the relentless efforts from all quarters.
“The decision to remove the universal winter fuel payment by the UK Government, and its impact on pensioners this winter is nothing short of disastrous.
“Over the last few months we have been urging the Scottish Government to bring this back and we are delighted that they have listened to the strong arguments and have taken action.
“It also demonstrates the power of devolution and what Scotland can do when we put our minds to it.”
New figures show over £1 billion paid out to help end child poverty
New figures show that the Scottish Government’s five family payments have reached a landmark figure since their launch, paying over £1billion to families across Scotland to help end child poverty.
The latest statistics released from Social Security Scotland reveal that between February 2021 and September 2024 £905.6 million has been paid out in Scottish Child Payment and a further £172.3 million since the launch of Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods.
The payments support children throughout key stages from pregnancy then birth, to starting school and on to age 16.
Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment, Best Start Grant School Age Payment and the ‘game changing’ Scottish Child Payment are only available in Scotland.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Summerville said:“Ending child poverty is the Scottish Government’s single greatest priority. At a time when families are struggling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, we have been delivering payments which offer vital to support families and children at key stages in their lives.
“There is help during pregnancy and in the months after a baby is born; help paying for early learning; help with that all important first day at school and help with buying the healthy, nutritious food that is vital for developing children.
“Then there is the unique Scottish Child Payment. More than 325,000 children and young people were benefitting from the payment by the end of September 2024. Our modelling projects Scottish Child Payment will keep 60,000 children out of relative poverty in 2024-25.”
Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment – one off payment of £314.45 to help with the costs of early learning when a child is between two and three years and six months
Best Start Grant School Age Payment – one off payment of £314.45 to help with the costs of starting school when a child is first old enough to start primary one
Best Start Foods – up to £42.40 every four weeks from pregnancy up to when a child turns three to help buy healthy food
Parents, carers and guardians can get more information at mygov.scot/fivefamilypayments or by calling free on 0800 182 2222.
If you are worried about heating bills and the cost of living this winter, the Citizens Advice network is here to help.
Continued high living costs and months of unaffordable energy bills means many of us are worried about managing payments again this winter. Sadly, too many of us are switching off the heating, turning to credit to cover essential livings costs, or feeling like there is no solution to unmanageable bills.
But the Citizens Advice network in Scotland is here for you with free, impartial and confidential advice.
Find your local CAB
Your first port of call should be contacting your local Citizens Advice Bureau to get free, confidential and impartial advice. One of our specialist advisers will be able to talk to you face-to-face, go through your situation and work out the next steps. They will be able to help communicate with your energy supplier, set up a manageable repayment plan or find out if you are eligible for any grants or discounts.
Our Money Map tool is a great online resource, finding ways to make the most of your money, decrease your bills and help meet the costs of daily living.
You might be able to save money on monthly bills. Our Council Tax tooltells you quickly if you’re entitled to a discount, reduction or exemption.
Specialist services
If you are thinking about claiming Universal Credit for the first time, we can help. Our Help to Claim advisers are available by webchat or telephone (0800 023 2581, Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm) and can guide you through the process, whether you’re looking for answers to quick questions or step-by-step support to make your claim.
The Money Talk Team at your local Citizens Advice Bureau helps you maximise your income, look at options to reduce costs and offers specialist debt advice. To find out more, start a webchat here.
If you are elderly, have certain health conditions, are pregnant or have young children, you may be eligible for additional support from your supplier. Check if you are eligible for the Priority Services Register here.
You can also call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 for help with your home energy this winter.
Food banks in our community gave out just over 1,428,000 emergency food parcels across the UK between April and September this year, charity Trussell Trust reports today.
This includes 508,000 parcels provided for children facing hunger across the UK.
The majority of food parcels were distributed to families with children, with 63% of the total number of parcels going to households with children aged 0–16, the charity reports. More than277,000 people visited a food bank in the Trussell community for the first time between April and September.
The total number of parcels provided across the UK is 67,000 fewer when compared to the same period last year, representing a 4% decrease. Trussell says there are a number of possible reasons for this recent small dip, such as the gradual slowdown in the extortionate price hikes we experienced on food and bills in recent years, and an end to the Local Housing Allowance freeze in April, bringing support for private renters back in line with local rents.
However, Trussell says it’s difficult to say if there has been an actual drop in hunger and hardship. The need for emergency food is still persistently high, and the number of parcels provided is 69% greater than the same period in 2019.
In fact, some UK regions saw a marginal increase in the number of food parcels provided. East of England and London saw increases of 1% and 4% respectively in the numbers of parcels provided.
Trussell says while food banks are a last resort for people who’ve been left isolated, facing hunger, and without enough money to live on, many are at breaking point due to years of growing numbers of people forced through their doors.
Winter is often the busiest time for food banks and Trussell is calling on the public to continue to play their part and support their local food banks to meet this urgent need, by volunteering, donating, fundraising or campaigning to help end hunger in the UK.
Food banks offer hope, dignity and relief to people facing hardship. Many need vital funds to provide services beyond distributing emergency food, such as advice and support that unlocks money someone should be getting and services aimed at helping people out of financial hardship.
Trussell says the evidence is clear that hunger in the UK isn’t a food problem, it’s an income problem. People are being forced to turn to food banks because incomes from work, and social security payments, do not cover the cost of the essentials, such as food, bills, and toiletries.
That’s why Trussell has also joined forces with hundreds of communities, food banks and charities including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, in calling on the UK government to take urgent action now.
Today, food banks across the UK have joined together to rally for change and are giving out a newspaper, the Hardship Times, in Westminster. The newspaper is made up of messages of hardship and hope, collected from hundreds of food banks across the UK.
The charity says there is hope and it knows we can end hunger, if positive action is taken. The UK government must act swiftly to follow up announcements in the recent Budget, with a clear plan to meet its manifesto commitment to end the need for emergency food and ensure that we do not see even more people facing hunger and hardship on its watch.
This plan should include investment in our social security system, at the very least introducing a protected minimum floor in Universal Credit to limit the amount of reductions that could be applied to a household’s Universal Credit. This would ensure, for the first time, that there would be a real safety net below which no one could fall.
The charity says this would be a low cost but concrete step towards ensuring our social security system protects people from facing hunger and hardship.
Emma Revie, Chief Executive of Trussell, said: “The sheer numbers of people still facing hunger and hardship across the UK is heartbreaking. This cannot go on and we refuse to stand by while so many of us are pushed to the brink, left without enough money to live on.
“Our food banks are a lifeline, offering a warm welcome and space to be heard. They need everyone to play their part to move us towards ending the need for emergency food in the UK.
“You can help make sure food banks can continue to provide warm, compassionate, practical support and advice this winter by volunteering, donating, fundraising or campaigning to help end hunger in the UK.
“Meanwhile, alongside our community of food banks campaigning today in Westminster, we will continue to call for change.
“The UK Government was elected with a manifesto pledge to end the need for emergency food and the time to act is now. There have been promising steps, but we need a clearer plan with more decisive action to invest in our social security system, if we are to end hunger once and for all.”
Number of emergency food parcels distributed by food banks in the Trussell community: 1 April – 30 September 2019, 2023, and 2024:
The City of Edinburgh Council is asking tenants to give their feedback on how it invests in Council homes, neighbourhoods, and services.
With just six weeks to go until this year’s consultation closes on Friday 29 November, tenants across the capital are being reminded to share their views on how they’d like their rent to be spent.
In February this year, councillors agreed to increase rent by 7% every year, for five years, starting in April 2024. The longer-term strategy gives tenants more certainty about the rent they pay and helps the Council better plan spending to improve homes and services.
The Council also introduced the Tenant Hardship Fund which offers financial assistance for tenants struggling to make rent payments. This year, the fund was increased to a maximum award of two fortnightly rent charges per tenant per year.
Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Jane Meagher said:“We’re determined to provide a better service to our tenants, improve their homes, and build more places for people to live because everyone deserves a suitable and affordable place to call home.
“That’s why we want to make sure as many people as possible have the opportunity to share their views on how we spend and invest in their homes, neighbourhoods, and services. I’d urge every tenant to visit our website and share their priorities for how they’d like their rent to be spent.
“I also want tenants and residents’ groups to know that they can come to us if they’re worried about being able to pay their rent or have already missed payments.”
Clear out your cupboards and donate pre-loved coats to ESUB. We work with a number of community spaces around the city offering free to access rails of coats and warm clothing. The need is greater than ever.
We are looking for all child and adult sizes to keep up with demand from our community partners.
Information about our drop off points can be found here:
We really need your outgrown coats!
Information about our drop off points can be found here: