Parents for Future Scotland: Let’s make this election about people, not profit
Parents for Future Scotland urge election candidates to address rising energy costs for families like the Andersons in Glasgow amid ongoing cost of living concerns. Support their Warm This Winter campaign for emergency aid and a shift to renewable energy.
Words and Photo by Parents for Future Scotland
Every candidate running for election on 4 July will tell you how they’ll tackle the cost of living crisis.
But what would they say, for example, to the Anderson family, a middle-income household in Glasgow that has been struck by escalating energy bills over the past few years.
John, a self-employed contractor, and Sarah, a part-time nurse, struggle to keep up with mounting utility costs alongside other essential expenses.
Their three children—aged 7, 10, and 13—add to their daily challenges, especially their youngest, who suffers from asthma exacerbated by cold weather, requiring adequate heating during the harsh Glasgow winters.
John describes their life as a “constant balancing act”.
“The stress has been overwhelming at times,” adds Sarah, highlighting the emotional toll of financial uncertainty. The Andersons have relied on food banks and community centres for support, emphasising the effort needed to assist families during these challenging times.
The Andersons are not alone. Two in five (38%) of Scottish households are worried about how to pay their bills. With Britain’s broken energy system continuing to cost the taxpayers billions in support payments, promising to solve the issue seems like a vote-winner. For more information on how to get involved and support families like the Andersons, visit the Warm This Winter campaign.
To save on household bills, 57% of Scots have avoided turning on the heating or have used it less often, while 53% have been wearing more indoors than usual to keep warm. A quarter of families have cut back on their food spending, 38% have used their cooker or oven less often, and 27% have taken fewer showers or baths.
Last month, Scotland’s Citizens Advice Bureau network reported that its clients’ average energy-related debt is around £2,300. The figure is significantly higher in remote and rural areas, with average debts of £3,047.
Claire Larkin, director of the Parents for Future Scotland charity, said: “From a parent’s perspective, the key general election topic is fossil fuel transition.
“Families are suffering now because of our over-reliance on fossil fuels, and it’s sickening to think £427 billion has been made in profits by oil and gas firms since the start of the energy crisis while children live in cold, damp, mouldy homes because their families can’t afford to put the heating on.
“It’s easy to forget in the summertime, but if we do not focus on energy transition this election period, this winter will be no better than the last.
“Drilling for more fossil fuels in the North Sea isn’t going to deliver any sort of ‘energy security’ as some claim, as 80% of North Sea oil is exported and sold on volatile international markets.
“We need well-insulated homes and buildings powered by clean, cheap renewables, and Scotland is in a great position to provide them.
“Parents for Future Scotland are supporting parents and carers to have conversations with their local candidates in the run-up to these elections and inviting them to sign up to the Warm This Winter campaign, which asks for four measures: emergency support now for families struggling with heating bills, help to upgrade homes, more access to cheap, renewable energy and a just transition away from fossil fuels.
“Even if people have never contacted their MP or MSP, it’s easy and we can support you in taking these steps too - just contact us at parents4futurescotland@gmail.com or visit our media pages for more information.”
(Note: Pseudonyms have been used to protect the individuals' privacy.)
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