Scots mum-of-12 worried how family will keep warm in winter as cost of living soars

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A mum-of-12 said she is worried she won't be able to keep her family warm this winter as the cost of living soars. Zoe Sullivan, 44, told how she has given up hope of ever having a family holiday due to her energy bills doubling despite not having the heating on.Zoe is married to RAF serviceman Ben, 47, who is winding down a 27-year career, meaning they will soon be faced with having to get a mortgage and moving out of military quarters.

Zoe said their bills have almost doubled from £240 a month to £400 a month, despite not using the central heating during the summer, and they have two seven-seater cars, one of which is used by Ben to go to work, while she uses the other for shopping.The family have not had a holiday in years but live near two beaches in Lossiemouth, Moray, so often go for walks and make do with daytrips - but had hoped to be able to take the kids away, although savings for that are now being put into groceries and bills.The couple have two sets of twins, Charlotte and Isabelle, 14, and Leah and Erin, aged six - and buy branded shampoo for the girls' long hair.

Eldest daughter Elisabeth, 17, has a job, but younger kids Olivia, 15, Noah, 12, Eva, ten and Toby, nine, look forward to having a Pepsi Max and a chocolate bar on a Friday and Saturday night as a treat, which Zoe does not want to have to give up.Baby Florence, aged four months, gets own-brand nappies, and Agnes, aged five, has a milk allergy which makes her a fussy eater and is expensive to accommodate.

The couple also have Joseph, aged three, and send six girls to dance lessons, while their oldest son plays football - as well as a cat which costs around a fiver a week.Zoe fears bills could increase to £600 a month which would be unaffordable,