Winter deaths from poverty will be at Tory hands
Winter deaths from cold or poverty during what forecasters predict could become the coldest December for years will be at the hands of the Tories’ mishandling of the cost of living crisis, say the Scottish Greens.
Millions have been plunged into fuel poverty and uncertainty following the UK Government’s botched handling of the economy and energy market, with soaring inflation and costs impacting homes and businesses.
Met Office weather warnings for snow and ice are currently in place for much of Scotland. The fear is people are unable to afford even basic essentials, and concerns over rising energy bills will see many go without heat.
Scottish Greens economy spokesperson Maggie Chapman said:
“For months we have heard from food banks, charities and experts all telling us that people have been struggling and are being forced to choose between heating and eating.
“As temperatures plummet and heavy snow arrives we will begin to see the full impact of this Tory created cost of living crisis, and all the indications so far suggest it could be worse than anything we have seen in modern times.
“We should do all we can to look out for the most vulnerable in society, to watch out for those who might be struggling, and use all the levers available to support people financially.
“But make no mistake, if people start dying from cold, or because they can’t afford to eat, it will be this increasingly cruel Tory government at Westminster who must be held accountable.
“They were to blame for tens of thousands of deaths all through the Covid 19 pandemic. The fear now is they will be to blame here too with even more mistakes.”