Warning of increased financial pressure on north-east households as bills soar

Gordon MP Richard Thomson has warned "millions of families face yet another year of financial pain due to Westminster failure" – as households receive soaring bills this week, ahead of April 1.

With inflation at 10.4 per cent, and interest rates at a 14-year high of 4.25 per cent, rising household bills will land on people's doormats this week ahead of the new financial year.

With UK poverty rates rising, the SNP has called for emergency UK government help to cut energy bills, boost incomes and support those falling into debt and arrears.

It comes as UK families are set to pay hundreds of pounds more in 2023/24 with:

• Millions of families facing inflation-busting household bills from April 1 – including pay-monthly mobile phone contracts and home broadband bills.

• Households paying £67 more a month for energy bills from April 1 – after the UK government scrapped the Energy Bills Support Scheme rebate, and with bills double that of 2021.

• Mortgage holders paying hundreds of pounds more in interest – with more than a million homeowners with variable rate mortgages paying hundreds more.

• Other day-to-day costs rising at record rates – as UK inflation and Brexit increase the cost of food, clothes, public transport and water bills.

At the same time, Department for Work and Pensions figures this week revealed poverty has risen in the UK – with the number of people in relative low income increasing by 1 million, from 13.4 million in March 2021 to 14.4 million in March 2022.

Separately, the Office for Budget Responsibility has warned households face the biggest fall in living standards since records began, with Real Household Disposable Income expected to fall by six per cent between 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Mr Thomson said: "Millions of families face yet another year of financial pain due to UK Government failure – as soaring household bills land on doormats and the cost of living with Westminster crisis gets even worse.

"The Conservative Government abandoned families at the UK Budget. They must now go back to the drawing board and bring forward an emergency package of support to cut people's bills, boost incomes and help those falling into unsustainable levels of debt and arrears.

"With UK poverty rising, it beggars belief that the Conservative and Labour parties are refusing to back help for families.

"In contrast, the SNP has called for the UK Government to cut energy bills by £500, reinstate the £67 rebate, introduce a Real Living Wage, and increase public sector pay and universal credit to ensure people have a decent income.

"The Scottish Government will continue to deliver progressive policies to support households, including the Scottish Child Payment and stronger public sector pay deals – but it's vital the UK Government finally steps up to the plate too.

"People in Scotland want real change – and with none on offer at Westminster, it's vital Scotland gets the powers to build a strong, fair and prosperous future."

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