THE energy cost crisis has blighted many.

But there’s now another aspect and that’s energy debt levels. It’s not only that some are struggling to meet their coming bills, but also that they’ve accrued debt from past ones which they just couldn’t meet.

The cumulative debt now stands at a staggering £3.1 billion – yes, billion and it’s worsening, the average debt increasing by around 50 per cent over the last 12 months and the number of households by 20 per cent. National Energy Action, a UK fuel poverty charity, reckon that even with the new price cap, six million households will be in fuel poverty. With our more northern latitude and colder climate, Scotland will have more than its pro rata share.

What do all those numbers and statistics mean for folk? Well, Citizens Advice Scotland say the average energy debt for their clients seeking help is around £2,300. There could well be other debts. Scope, the disabled charity, said for their clients seeking help it was £1,100. Pensioners are the hardest hit of any household group, with 36 per cent in fuel poverty and 24 per cent classified as living in extreme fuel poverty.

So all that is compounded by historic debt that just can’t be cleared as folk don’t have the cash, and yet the bills keep coming. It’s why, along with National Energy Action, I’ll be meeting the UK Minister to seek action.

We need to see a social tariff so that the poorest and most vulnerable can access affordable fuel. We need to reimpose the moratorium on the installation of pre-payment meters, which can impose further hardship. We also need to ensure that adequate support is given. The Warm Home Discount of £150 is just not enough. It was, after all, £140 before the crisis even commenced. It’s far too low now.

But also, we need a debt write-off scheme. There’s no way all of this can be paid back. We bailed out bankers and wrote off PPE wastage, if not fraud. There’s also plenty money for weapons. Its time some went to those who are really struggling at home.