Disabled Scots woman may be forced to move into care home due to rocketing energy bills

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A 23-year-old disabled woman may have to move in with OAPs at a nursing home as she can’t afford to pay for electricity to power her life-saving equipment.Lizzie Ferguson, who is paraplegic, gets in excess of £800 in benefits each month but her energy bill is rocketing from £100 per month to more than £700.

She needs a breathing machine to help her sleep and her social worker has confirmed a place is available at Greenfield Park Care Home, near her home in Ruchazie, Glasgow.

Lizzie’s dad Gary was told by Scottish Power that her electricity bill would increase from £100 to £550 this month and be quickly followed by a new tariff hike, meaning it would rise to at least £700.

Gary said: “We’re in a state of disbelief and have been told the rise is not negotiable. Lizzie has been in tears about it. She’s inconsolable and there is nothing in place to help people like her.“We’ve been told Greenfield Park might be able to accommodate but it’s not appropriate.”Gary believes Scottish Power, Glasgow City Council and the Holyrood and Westminster governments should thrash out a rescue package for people in Lizzie’s situation.He said: “We are obviously not the only family caught up in this kind of crisis.