A CHARITY has warned that hikes in energy bill costs could see a rise in demand for food bank use soar.

With the energy price cap set to increase in April - bills could increase by up to 50 per cent.

Analysis of advice given by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) found that 30 per cent of clients getting advice around foodbanks also needed help with utilities. Over 2000 people across Scotland needed assistance in relation to both. The charity has seen a 53 per cent increase in demand for energy debt advice since February 2020.

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The organisation also warns that half a million people across Scotland have been cutting back on food shopping due to rising energy bill prices. Pages on the Advice for Scotland website relating to energy advice have been the most viewed since July 2020.

CAS Chief Executive Derek Mitchell said: “We are facing a nightmare scenario in the spring as the rising cost of living and increases in energy bills collide with flat or falling incomes.

“Around half a million people are already cutting back on food shopping to deal with unaffordable bills, and looking at the demand for advice the Citizens Advice network saw during the pandemic, we see a link between the need to use a food bank and the need for advice around utilities.

“People are holding on by their fingertips, they can’t afford a big rise in bills with no support, some sort of emergency action from the government is essential.

“While we are seeing an unprecedented crisis in the energy market driving these increases, the need for food banks predates this and is simply unacceptable. No one should have to choose between heating their homes and feeding their families.

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“People who are struggling should know that we are here for them. The Citizens Advice network helped over 171,000 people during the pandemic, unlocking around £147 million in the process. For energy advice alone people who saw a gain were around £272 better off.

“Our advice is free, confidential and impartial, and you can get help from a local CAB or check our advice online. I’d encourage anyone to check our advice, you never know what money you are potentially missing out on or where you could be paying less.”

The charity is encouraging people to get support for unaffordable bills by contacting their local CAB, checking online advice, or visiting www.moneymap.scot.