That one in 10 working Scots can’t afford to pay their heating bill is a damning indictment of Britain.
This is one of the wealthiest countries in the world that has been blessed with natural resources such as oil and gas.
Absolutely nobody in this country should struggle to afford gas or electricity.
It is obscene that anyone who goes out to work day after day should find themselves in that position.
This is a result of poverty wages, a failing welfare system and a rigged energy markets that lets big companies rip off consumers.
All three of these failures must be addressed by policy makers with urgency.
There are plenty of places where they could start.
Homes must be made more energy efficient, solar technology must be rolled out more widely and fuel tariffs must be made easier to understand.
There is also a lot to be said for Labour’s plan to nationalise the energy companies.
It makes a lot of sense for the massive profits made by these misery merchants to be ploughed into the green economy or tackling poverty rather than going back to greedy shareholders.
Extra financial support is also needed for those who struggle to heat their homes.
This could also be much better targeted than it is currently.
And finally, action must be taken to ensure everyone is paid a decent wage for a decent day’s work.
It is not acceptable that so many people in work are not being paid enough to heat their home.
The Fuel Poverty Bill to be voted on by MSPs this week shows the Scottish Government is taking some steps to tackle this scandal.
It’s time the UK Government did the same.
Primodos proof
Campaigners have warned about the dangers of Primodos for decades.
The Record led the way on reporting the scandal and has previously told how 26 studies from 1960 onwards suggested the drug could cause miscarriages and birth defects.
Now there is the most conclusive evidence yet that this drug should never have been allowed to remain on the market until 1978.
Aberdeen University’s Professor Neil Vargesson have found there is a link between embryo defects and Primodos – even at a low dose.
It is too late to help those who may have been damaged by the drug.
But it could bring comfort to campaigners who have been fighting for the truth for so long.
