LAST week, I wrote about the concerns I had for mounting energy debt, which now stands at a collective £3.1 billion.

With two thirds of that, there’s neither any arrangement to pay nor for much of little likelihood of it being paid, without some assistance for those struggling.

Action needs taken before many drown in a sea of debt, never mind the misery of being unable to access heat and power. But a parliamentary answer this week showed that, whilst so far there’s nothing for the ordinary person struggling, yet again there’s assistance for the big energy suppliers already making huge profits.

An answer I received confirmed that we’re all charged for the debt these companies are carrying. That’s because, included within the Energy Price Guarantee, there’s an allowance for debt servicing of these unpaid bills. That means we’re all bailing out the big energy suppliers from any bank or borrowing costs.

Chance would be a fine thing for the overdraft or credit costs that everyone else is required to meet. Rather than keeping the big corporations’ profits healthy, it’s time we looked after those struggling to meet their bills. This is simply perverse.

The big political issue last week was the First Minister’s resignation. I knew Humza Yousaf and he was personable. However, I never thought he was up to the task and, as it is, he’s made mistakes for which he’s now paying the price.

But he was pushed as well as jumping – senior players within his team and the SNP were briefing he was resigning even when he was discussing options with my party colleague.

That, as with the selection of the next leader and FM, is a matter for SNP members. It’s not my party, having left in 2021 due to what I saw as malfeasance in office and a policy platform that prioritised identity issues over what really matters to folk. John Swinney has hinted at change, which is welcome. But unless that’s significant, the party’s decline will continue.