Which? estimates Scots will spend an extra £21 per week on energy bills and food next month

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A new survey by Which? for its annual Consumers in Scotland report has identified households’ growing concerns about the rising cost of living, soaring energy bills and disparities in broadband speeds across the country.

Cash-strapped Scots will have to fork out about £1,100 extra a year on staying warm and eating, it has been suggested, as the new survey discovered nearly half are already using their heating less to help make ends meet.

Which? has estimated that Scots will spend an extra £21.13 per week on food and energy next month compared with March 2020 - adding about £1,100 extra per year to household bills.

According to a poll of more than 1,000 Scots, 86 per cent are worried about energy prices - a huge increase on the 59 per cent who told the Consumers in Scotland survey they were worried last year.Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at Which?, said: "More and more households will need support as energy bills and other costs rise in the coming months."Businesses and regulators, as well as the UK and Scottish governments, must work quickly to ensure they are ready to support anyone struggling to make ends meet."In the survey, by polling firm Yonder, concern about fuel and food prices has also soared.In last year's report, 52 per cent of respondents said they were worried about the cost of filling up their cars and 63 per cent about the cost of their supermarket shop.But in the latest survey Yonder found 81 per cent were worried about fuel costs and 77 per cent about the price of food.In the poll, which took place between November and December, 46 per cent of people said they had put the heating on less to keep costs down, while four in 10 had reduced their use of lights and appliances around the