Tag: cost of living crisis

Small changes mean energy advice campaign adds up to big savings

UK Government launches ‘It All Adds Up’ campaign with simple actions to cut bills by bringing down the amount of energy needed to keep homes warm and stay safe

  • ‘It All Adds Up’ energy saving campaign launched today by government with advice that could help UK households cut hundreds of pounds off their bills this winter
  • Campaign features tips on simple, low or no-cost actions that households can take to immediately cut energy use and save money while ensuring people are able to stay safe and warm this winter
  • Advice also available on longer-term measures to improve the energy efficiency of homes that can bring down bills not just this winter but in years to come

Simple advice, with no or very low-cost actions that households can take to reduce their energy use and bills this winter, is now available to the public under a new government information campaign being launched today.

The £18 million ‘It All Adds Up’ energy saving campaign will raise public awareness of straightforward actions that people can take to cut their bills by bringing down the amount of energy needed to keep their homes warm and stay safe this winter.

The guidance focuses on simple measures which are not already adopted by the majority of households in the UK. How energy use can be reduced may be different for each individual household, but simple measures in the campaign can offer significant financial savings this winter without reducing comfort or putting people’s health at risk.

The ‘It All Adds Up’ campaign has been launched on a new website and promotes some of the government’s top recommended actions to help households save money on their energy bills at no or little cost, including:

  • reducing the temperature a boiler heats water to before it is sent to radiators (known as the boiler flow temperature) from 75⁰C to 60⁰C, which will not reduce the temperature of your home but could save around £100 annually
  • turning appliances off at the plug, which could save approximately £70 per year
  • reducing heating loss from the property such as putting draught excluders around doors or by adding clear film across windows, which could save around £60 a year

Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said: “No-one is immune to rising energy bills this winter, so it’s in everyone’s interest to use every trick in the book to use less energy while keeping homes warm and staying safe.

“For very little or no cost, you can save pounds. It all adds up, so I urge people to take note of the advice in this new campaign and follow the easy steps to cut your fuel bills.”

Information on the ‘It All Adds Up’ campaign can be found at a new GOV.UK website, which will run alongside the government’s wider ‘Help for Households’ campaign. The new energy saving campaign will feature adverts across TV, radio, digital platforms and on digital billboards, with a television advert rolled out in the coming weeks.

In addition to these simple tips, there is also advice on other actions that households can take to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, as well as further details of government funding schemes to improve the energy efficiency of households across the country.

The ‘It All Adds Up’ campaign highlights longer-term energy efficiency upgrades, including installing loft and wall insulation or fitting double glazing, that people can make to their homes to save their energy use and bring down bills.

Richard Neudegg, director of regulation and policy at Uswitch.com said: “We know many households are actively looking to find safe ways to reduce their energy use to save on bills, and there are straightforward steps to take by making small changes at home. So we welcome renewed efforts to highlight practical tips that can make a real difference.

“Keeping track of energy usage can help people understand what’s most driving their bills and help identify where to make changes. To support households, Uswitch has developed Utrack, a free app which can help people see exactly what they are using and highlight ways to save money.”

Juliette Sanders, Director of Strategic Communications at Energy UK, said: “Energy UK welcomes the Government’s efforts in helping people to improve their energy efficiency.

“Many people are struggling to pay their energy bills and whilst additional support is available from both Government and energy suppliers, taking steps to cut down wasted energy will enable people to lower their bills immediately. We’re also pleased that advice on long-term energy efficiency measures is part of the campaign.

“It’s essential that this goes hand in hand with policies that will enable delivery to as many homes as possible, and with the roll out of smart meters so people can manage their energy use, and use it at times it is cheapest.”

Jonathan Brearley, the CEO of Ofgem, said: “I very much welcome the launch of the ‘It All Adds Up’ campaign. We know from the analysis we’ve seen that even small things, such as turning off radiators in rooms that are not in use and adapting boiler flow, can have a big impact, not only on customer bills, but in boosting our wider security of supply.

“This will complement Ofgem’s Energy Aware campaign, which provides information on ways to reduce energy use, cut costs, and points consumers towards financial schemes and other avenues of support that can help them through this difficult winter.”

Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: “This winter, many people will be worried about how much they might have to spend to heat their homes. These tips should help cut down the cost of staying warm.

“However, we know lots of people are living in cold, dark homes because they’re stretched to their limit and simply have nothing left to cut back on. If you’re in this situation, speak to your energy supplier or contact Citizens Advice for support. We’re here to help you find a way forward.”

Making homes and businesses more energy efficient and so bringing down fuel bills is part of the Government’s wider long-term commitment, announced as part of the Autumn Statement, to reduce the UK’s final energy consumption from buildings and industry by 15% by 2030 against 2021 levels.

Improving the energy efficiency of homes is the best long-term method of cutting household energy use and bringing down bills. That is why the government is accelerating the pace of upgrading the energy efficiency of housing with £6 billion of funding committed to 2028 in addition to £6.6 billion in this parliament.

A further £4 billion has been committed through ECO4 scheme, which is delivering home insulation measures to low income and more vulnerable households, and the £1 billion ECO+ scheme, which will install measures in households who have previously not been able to access support through the Energy Company Obligation scheme.

The ‘It All Adds Up’ campaign comes in addition to an unprecedented package of government support that is helping households meet their energy costs this winter, including the Energy Price Guarantee, saving a typical household over £900, the Energy Bills Support Scheme providing a £400 discount to millions and the most vulnerable receiving £1,200 each this year.

To publicise the launch of the new energy saving campaign website further, Business and Energy Minister Lord Callanan held a roundtable meeting on Friday 16 December with energy suppliers and consumer groups.

27,500 Edinburgh households set to receive new winter heating payment

SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has welcomed the announcement of a new Winter Heating Payment from the Scottish Government.

Around 27,500 households across the city are set to receive the new payment which replaces the old Cold Weather Payment from the UK government which relied on the temperature dropping to a certain level before payments were triggered.

The Scottish Government’s Winter Heating Payment will pay a flat-rate of £50 in February, no matter the temperature, to people on low-incomes who qualify.

Commenting, Gordon said: “The Winter Heating Payment will be the 13th social security benefit set up by the Scottish Government and demonstrates what we can do with limited powers to build a fairer, more equal Scotland.

“It is a welcome step that the new payment will move away from the UK government’s system of issuing support when the temperature drops to a certain level. This will provide a reliable payment for households every winter.

“The new payment is another social security payment that is unique to Scotland and builds on support already available through game-changing benefits such as the Scottish Child Payment – the only payment of its kind in Britain.

“However, the Scottish Government continues to act with one hand tied behind its back. Only with the full powers of independence can we truly provide a system that works for the people of Scotland, not against them.”

Scottish Budget: ‘Strengthening the social contract with Scotland’s people’

Deputy First Minister John Swinney laid out “a different, more progressive path for Scotland” as he presented the Scottish Budget 2023-24.

He promised to strengthen the social contract with the people of Scotland and pledged to do everything possible to shield families from the welfare cuts and austerity policies of the UK Government

Supporting sustainable public services through the cost of living crisis is a priority – including more than £13.7 billion for NHS boards and £2 billion to establish and improve primary healthcare services in communities, as well as £1.7 billion for social care and integration, paving the way for the National Care Service. This record investment goes well beyond any previous commitment to pass on all consequentials to health and social care, and delivers a £1 billion uplift to the health budget.

Having already increased the unique Scottish Child Payment to £25 per week as part of a drive to eradicate child poverty, the Budget invests £428 million to uprate all other devolved benefits in April 2023 by September’s Consumer Price Index inflation level of 10.1%. It commits £20 million to extend the Fuel Insecurity Fund to provide a lifeline for households, including the most vulnerable, against rising energy prices.

Scotland’s transition to net zero is boosted with increased investment to over £366 million in delivering the Heat in Buildings Strategy in 2023-24. This will help tackle fuel poverty as part of a £1.8 billion commitment over this Parliament to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise more than a million Scottish homes by 2030.

The Budget commits £50 million to the Just Transition Fund for the North East and Moray – more than double the 2022-23 allocation – to diversify the regional economy away from carbon-intensive industries and capitalise on the opportunities presented by new, green industries.

Strengthened by the agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party, the 2023-24 Scottish Budget also includes:

  • around £1 billion investment in high quality early learning and childcare provision, with a further £22 million invested in holiday food provision and expanding support for school-age childcare
  • £50 million for the Whole Family Wellbeing programme for preventative co-ordinated family support and a further £30 million to keep The Promise to care experienced children and young people
  • £80 million capital funding to support the expansion of free school meals
  • going beyond existing commitments with more than £550 million additional funding to Local Government
  • £165 million additional funding for frontline justice services and to continue with transformational reforms
  • a £46 million increase in resource funding to universities and colleges to ensure a highly qualified and highly skilled workforce for Scotland

Mr Swinney said: “The Scottish Government, like governments all over the world, is faced with a difficult set of choices. Through this Budget we are facing up to our responsibilities while being honest with the people of Scotland about the challenges which lie ahead.

“To govern is to choose and the Scottish Government has made its choice.

“Within the powers available to us, we will choose a different path. A path which sees the Scottish Government commit substantial resources to protect the most vulnerable people of Scotland from the impact of decisions and policies made by the UK Government. We choose to stand firmly behind the Scottish people, investing in our public services and doing everything possible to ensure that no one is left behind.

“This Budget strengthens the social contract between the Scottish Government and every citizen of Scotland for the wider benefit of society. This social contract means that people in Scotland continue to enjoy many benefits not available throughout the UK – including free prescriptions, free access to higher education and the Scottish Child Payment. 

“Because we know this progressive model works, we choose the path where people are asked to pay their fair share, in the knowledge that in so doing they help to create the fairer society in which we all want to live”.

Read the 2023-2024 Scottish Budget here.

Responding to the Scottish Government Budget, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “It’s clear that Scotland’s trade union movement has made progress in winning demands from the Scottish Government.

####2Raising taxes on those most able to pay, including second homeowners, are key demands in our ‘Fairer Taxes’ report. We hope reform of the Small Business Bonus Scheme will leave it fairer and less of a drain on public resources and the piloting of scrapping peak rail fares is also a step in the right direction.

“However, we needed strides, not steps. We cannot pretend this is the radical, redistributive budget working people in Scotland needed – it isn’t. We can – and will – demand the government to go much further and deliver the substantial reforms needed to our economy including introducing wealth and further property taxes called for in our report.

“The Finance Secretary has more to do and we welcome his constructive engagement with our movement. This budget leaves the door open for public sector workers to negotiate the inflation level pay rises they so desperately need. We intend to use it.”

Responding to the Scottish Budget delivered by the Deputy First Minister, Dr Liz Cameron CBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Whilst the backdrop for today’s statement was already set by the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the Autumn Statement, today’s Scottish Budget will not bring much Christmas cheer.

“Businesses and households are navigating an extremely challenging period of high energy costs, rising inflation and higher borrowing costs. The specific decision by the Scottish Government to widen the divergence on income tax rates between Scotland and the rest of the UK is exceptionally concerning.

“Many will be left pondering today as to who in the Scottish and UK Governments is standing up for the economy to help businesses survive this crisis and keep people in jobs.”

On taxation:

“The Scottish Government’s move to increase the top and higher rates of income tax will hit taxpayers in Scotland more than other parts of the UK.

“This is a clear disadvantage for Scotland’s businesses and workers and could position Scotland as a less attractive place to live and work. With over 350,000 people alone in the higher rate bracket, questions remain on the impact this will have on talent attraction, retention, consumer confidence and indeed departure of workers to other parts of the UK.

“We urge the Scottish Government to publish its economic modelling of this policy decision, specifically on the proposed impact this could have on future investment decisions by companies.”

On Business Rates:

“As a priority ask from the business community, we welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to freeze the poundage rate and align with the rest of the UK. This will provide relief to ratepayers by reducing the upfront cost burden of non-domestic rates. This was the right decision as is the incentive for businesses to invest in greener plant and machinery which supports net-zero and decarbonisation.

“Looking ahead, businesses need to see widespread reform to the business rates system ensuring it is fit for purpose and aligns with the economic reality that businesses operate in.”

On regulatory legislation:

“The scale of new and incoming regulations are piling additional cost burdens onto firms when they need them least.

“The recent move to delay the short-term lets licensing scheme was welcome and we had hoped for additional signalling from the Deputy First Minister today to delay other burdensome legislation such as the Deposit Return Scheme. This will continue to cause a great deal of frustration for affected sectors and we will therefore continue to represent sector concerns to Scottish Government through the Joint Regulatory Taskforce.”

On Net Zero:

“We welcome the Scottish Government’s intention to accelerate the move to a Net Zero economy. Businesses continue to support this agenda and a clear long-term plan for decarbonisation will support future investment and a just transition.”

Jonathan Carr-West (Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit Scotland (LGIU) said: “Today’s budget saw Deputy First Minister John Swinney attempting to reach out to local government by promising additional funding and acceding to COSLA’s request to allow councils more freedom over council tax rates.

“Scottish councils will now be poring over the detail to see how much real additional money sits behind the headline of £550 million.

“Moreover, local government in Scotland will still be left wondering how, indeed if, it fits into the Government’s overall vision.

“While Mr Swinney was keen to position his budget in counterpoint to the UK Government, he risks repeating Westminster’s error in protecting the NHS at the expense of local government when we know that the preconditions for good health rely on effective leadership of place and an integration of services that only local democratic institutions can provide.”

The Poverty Alliance says the Scottish Government could do even more to invest in a just and compassionate Scotland:

Tax

Reacting to today’s Scottish Budget announcement, Poverty Alliance Policy and Campaigns Manager Ruth Boyle said: “We welcome the decision to use our tax powers in a progressive way to get more investment for the compassionate Scotland that people want. We hope that this will be the beginning of the Scottish Government’s efforts to use the full range of tax powers at their disposal. In the longer-term, the Scottish Government must reform the basis of our tax system, including implementing the long-awaited reform of council tax, to ensure that our tax system has justice and compassion at its heart.”

Services

“Increased support for the NHS and social care is very much welcomed. However, all of our vital public services are calling out for more investment. This budget raises a number of concerns for the future, and we fear that there will be more cuts to other public services coming down the line. We all rely on these public services, but they are a vital lifeline for people on the lowest incomes.”

Social security

“We are pleased that the Scottish Government have done the right thing and uprated benefits in line with inflation. However, we could go much further. The Finance Secretary stated that a key priority for this budget was tackling child poverty and it is therefore disappointing that the budget failed to uprate the Scottish Child Payment in line with other Scottish benefits. This will mean a real term cut in the value of the payment at a time when families on low incomes need more support to stay afloat. This decision raises particular concern for the poverty of single parents, over 90% of whom are women.”

Transport

“The decision to trial the scrapping of peak rail fares will help people to make ends meet as costs continue to rise. However, evidence shows that people on the lowest incomes are more reliant on buses. There is a need to improve access to affordable transport by extending free bus travel to people on low-income benefits and to those aged under 25.”

The nightmare before Christmas

Independent Age: Scots sacrifice essentials to ensure they can buy for others this Christmas 

Many people in Scotland are facing a bleak run up to Christmas, as they cut back on essentials like food and heating to ensure they can buy presents for loved ones.

In a national survey of people aged 50 and over by older people’s charity Independent Age, a third (33%) of Scottish respondents said that in order to spend money on loved ones this year, they would reduce spending on essentials for themselves as Christmas approaches.

Of those who said that they will reduce their spending:

  • 69% will socialise less
  • 44% will cut back on heating their homes
  • 41% will spend less on food
  • 37% will cut back on the electricity they use

The findings come as inflation continues to rise, with the official rate recently soaring to 11.1%.

Scottish Government statistics show that 1 in 7 (150,000) older people in Scotland are living in poverty, with 120,00 pensioners living in persistent poverty (meaning they’ve spent at least three of the past four years in poverty).

Claire Donaghy, Head of Scotland at Independent Age, said: “It’s extremely alarming that those in later life are being forced to cut back on essentials so they can buy presents for loved ones.

“Older people living in one of the world’s richest nations shouldn’t have to risk damaging their health by reducing the food they eat and using less heating during the coldest months.

“For many in Scotland, the festive season is something to look forward to, but increasing numbers of older people are being hit from every angle financially.”

Cost-of-living fears this festive season

The immense financial pressure faced by millions of older people this winter is forcing many of them to cut back on essentials – as well as foregoing presents for others.

In the same survey over two fifths (41%) of people in Scotland said they are planning on spending less money at Christmas this year, compared to last.

When asked how they plan to reduce their spending, worryingly, 49% of people planning to spend less said they would reduce spending on food, and 47% said they would spend less on heating and gas.

When asked about general Christmas spending, 56% who plan to spend less at Christmas said they plan to spend less on presents for their children or grandkids, and this number rises to 78% when asked about other friends and family.

There will be even fewer ornaments and lights to enjoy this festive season, with 39% saying they will reduce spending on decorations that require electricity. These figures paint a bleak picture of how the cost-of-living crisis will stop many from enjoying their usual Christmas.

End the Pension Credit Scandal

With many households struggling to cope financially this December, Independent Age is calling on the government to ensure older people are receiving the support they are entitled to, including Pension Credit.

For people over 66, Pension Credit acts as an income top-up, and is a gateway to additional support, including the Warm Home Discount and Council Tax Reduction. It is also being used as a mechanism by the government to decide who gets some of the vital cost-of-living payments announced in November.

In what the charity is calling a ‘national scandal’, Independent Age estimate that almost 80,000 people who are eligible for Pension Credit in Scotland are currently not claiming, resulting in £160 million being missed out on by older people in Scotland.

Claire Donaghy continues: “The government was right to uprate Pension Credit by inflation in the Autumn Budget, but the hard truth is too many older people are still not receiving this vital income top-up that they are eligible for. Without it, many people in later life are facing a stressful and dire Christmas, forced to cut back on food and heating, which can be detrimental to their health. 

“It is scandalous that people are struggling when billions of pounds has been set aside for them and the money is sitting there unused. The government must commit to a Pension Credit strategy to prevent hundreds of thousands of people missing out.”

Independent Age has launched a petition calling on the government to end the Pension Credit scandal and announce a strategy to increase uptake. 

You can sign the petition here: End the Pension Credit Scandal

Crafty tips for a sustainable Christmas

With the cost of living and climate change weighing heavily on the minds of many this festive season, it’s the little things that can make a difference – tackling both budgetary and sustainability concerns in one go, whilst keeping the Christmas spirit sparkling.

Remake Scotland, a social enterprise based in Crieff, and recently announced as one of Royal London’s sustainability Changemakers for 2022, has these tips for households on how to save while being kind to the environment this holiday season:

1. Try sustainable Christmas wrapping

Remake Scotland recently ran a workshop on how to master traditional Japanese fabric techniques. This is something you can try out yourself at home with old fabrics – the method is called Furoshiki, and there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube where you can follow along. Reduce the tonnes of wrapping paper thrown in the bin each year, and breathe new life into your old scarves and fabrics.

2. Send digital Christmas cards instead of paper ones

We go out and buy Christmas cards each year, only for them to end up in the bin! Why not try sending e-cards instead – there are dozens of providers out there. You can send a Christmas card digitally via Moonpig for only 99p. You could even get creative and design your own for free on a site like Canva.

3. Recycle your Christmas tree

Hundreds of thousands of Christmas trees ending up in landfill come January is costly to the environment and the taxpayer, and just not necessary. If you’ve bought a Christmas tree with roots, you can extend its lifetime by re-potting it in your garden, or a friend’s. If you’ve bought a tree which is cut, find out if your local council has a special tree recycling scheme in place, and if not, you can drop it off at your nearest recycling centre. If you don’t want to buy a real tree, there are artificial options that are made from recycled or recyclable materials you might consider.

4. Get creative with gifts

If you’re creatively blessed, why not put your skills to use and give a unique gift that you’ve made yourself? Not only will the gift feel more personalised and special, it will save you money. Or, consider browsing local charity shops to seek out some vintage gems at a bargain price – you never know what you might find.

5. Memories with loved ones are the best gifts

Step away from the concept of ‘things’ entirely, and give the gift of an experience, such as cinema tickets, afternoon tea, or a cookery class. Even something as simple as a promise to host a home cooked dinner can mean a lot to your nearest and dearest.

Big Hearts spread Christmas cheer through Festive Friends campaign

  • Big Hearts Community Trust, the official charity of Heart of Midlothian FC, is taking part in Festive Friends
  • All 42 community trusts and SPFL clubs involved for the first time, as well as Cowdenbeath (43 in total)
  • Over 4,000 people across Scotland will be supported by Festive Friends this year
  • A record £133,000 has been committed to this year’s campaign
  • This year’s campaign will see the continuation of last year’s doorstep visits to people who are at risk of social isolation
  • While there will also be physical events across the country, including Christmas lunches and dinners at stadiums

Heart of Midlothian FC are bringing Christmas cheer to those that need it most this year by taking part in the biggest-ever Festive Friends programme during the holiday season.

Festive Friends is a brilliant opportunity for clubs to give back to their local communities.

The SPFL Trust programme is now in its seventh year and, for the first time, all 42 SPFL clubs are taking part in the campaign, including Heart of Midlothian FC through their official charity Big Hearts.

Cowdenbeath will also deliver Festive Friends after being granted a year’s grace following their relegation to the Lowland League.

The campaign has the largest-ever fund this year, a total of £133,000, which means the SPFL Trust will be able to support an extra 1,000 people via clubs and community trusts.

As such, the programme is expected to support over 4,000 people this year across Scotland.

It’s been a difficult year so far for everyone with the cost of living crisis, but, of course, winter is always a particularly tough time for the elderly, who are at higher risk of social isolation.

Festive Friends brings Christmas cheer and companionship to elderly people who are socially isolated and at risk of being alone during the festive season.

Almost 9,000 people have enjoyed Festive Friends in the last six years and that number is expected to reach nearly 15,000.

Hampers usually contain food, snacks, essential toiletries, gifts, games and more. Some clubs even send video messages from managers and players; others have players make personal deliveries.

This year, given the current crisis facing the country, the SPFL Trust has also organised for Age Scotland Friendship Line flyers to be distributed in each hamper featuring helpful information.

This year Big Hearts Community Trust staff and volunteers welcomed over 100 older people to Tynecastle, where they get to enjoy a hot Christmas lunch and receive a festive food hamper to take home. 

SPFL Trust CEO Nicky Reid said: “Festive Friends is one of our biggest events at the SPFL Trust and for our colleagues at clubs and community trusts.

“It’s all about coming together to have a real impact in the lives of elderly and isolated people over the festive period – reaching more people than ever this year.

“It’s the Christmas spirit in action as we see the power of football in spades – with clubs spreading cheer in their communities.

“Scottish football is trusted to support, and our recent research shows that almost 83% of people live within ten miles of a SPFL ground – because of this clubs and their associated community trusts are well positioned to effect this type of change in their communities.

“This year 43 SPFL clubs are involved making it our biggest programme yet, supported by a record-breaking fund of £133,000. We look forward to supporting more elderly people than ever before, after all kindness never mattered more.”

Big Hearts Operations Manager Innes Shirreff said: “Big Hearts are delighted to have the support of the SPFL Trust’s Festive Friends programme again this year, which will help us to provide two social gatherings for older people at Tynecastle Park.

“Across the 12th and 13th December, we welcomed over 100 individuals and provided a three-course lunch, as well as gifts and entertainment. These lunches form a key part of our winter engagement for older people and provide an enjoyable afternoon out, in a warm and welcoming environment.

“We are proud to be part of the wider community of football clubs, trusts and foundations across Scotland working to ensure vital support is provided to those who need it during the festive season.”

Big Hearts’ Festive Friends participant Henry Craig, who is 70 years old said:
“Today has been outstanding, the food was excellent, the atmosphere, the friendliness of the staff, the former Hearts players in the room – everyone had a great time. Well done to the people at Big Hearts for organising.

“I’m a Hearts’ supporter and a season ticket holder and I’ve been involved with the charity for almost a year. I love the companionship I get when I come to the stadium. The opportunity to get together for a festive meal was amazing, thank you.” 

For more information on Festive Friends visit: www.spfltrust.org.uk/festivefriends

Community Cosy Events at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre: All welcome!

Following feedback from the community on last weeks warm hub evenings we have decided to change the time.

Our main aim is being here for the community, we will do and change what we need to in order to achieve this.

We are a friendly bunch and the door is always open – come say hi!