Most Scots will by now have realised the cost of living is rising sharply.
From the cost of staple foods in supermarkets, to the price of a pint at your local pub, we’re all seeing our money stretch less and less.
Inflation is running at a 10-year high and wage rises, when there actually are any, simply can’t keep up.
But it’s the cost of heating our homes that could prove to be the nastiest shock of the lot.
The energy price cap set by UK ministers determines how much our privatised gas and electricity companies can charge customers.
It’s almost inevitable this will be raised in April to meet the soaring wholesale costs of energy.
There are fears this could push some bills up by 50 per cent over night.
Now, a survey has revealed that more than one-third of Scots are already struggling to pay heating bills – even before price rises take effect.
UK ministers insist they are listening to consumers but so far, we’ve had nothing but warm words.
How bad does the situation need to get before they act?
It seems top Tories have been too busy enjoying Downing Street parties instead of getting to grips with a crisis that is already hitting working people hard.
Ministers say we will have to wait until the Spring Statement to find out whether a reported scheme to hand out one-off £500 payments to help with bills will come to fruition.
But we need action now. Not weeks down the line.
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