More than three-quarters of Scots limit energy use amid cost concerns – poll

Three-quarters of people in Scotland have limited their energy use to afford other goods and services including food in the last year, according to new research.

The Survation poll for Advice Direct Scotland found that more than half (57%) are worried about being able to afford electricity, gas or oil over the coming year.

It found that 76% of adults in Scotland have either “slightly” or “significantly” limited their energy use over the past 12 months so they can pay for other goods and/or services, including food.

Half (50%) said they sometimes feel cold in their own home as a result, and a further 24% said they often feel cold.

Advice Direct Scotland said the UK’s energy market is “broken”, with many worried about how they will be able to pay for energy in the year ahead.

While bills might have fallen from their recent peak, they still remain high

Andrew Bartlett, Advice Direct Scotland

The charity is calling on the UK Government to use Wednesday’s Budget to introduce an opt-out social tariff which would automatically put struggling households on the cheapest deal.

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: “This poll indicates that hundreds of thousands of Scots are limiting their energy use so they can afford to pay for other goods such as food, and are left suffering in the cold in their own homes as a result.