THE weather is improving, and lengthening days mean that lights and heating can be turned down. But, for many, they have hardly been on – and for some not at all. The energy crisis remains.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme that saw vouchers issued to those on alternative fuels has seen a disproportionate failure in the take-up rate here in the county.

Nationally, as of February, 25 per cent of vouchers had not been redeemed but in East Lothian it was one in three. I would urge all those eligible to check and, if they have not received theirs or have misplaced it, then get advice. It’s their right and many missing out will badly require it.

The scheme doesn’t end until June and hopefully pick-up will improve. But it’s also disappointing that the UK Government will not be handing over funds not taken up to fuel poverty challenges. Why not? The funds were to address an urgent need and that remains. Providing the funds not claimed to organisations seeking to help the most vulnerable would allow for continued help.

But it’s not just fuel but food costs which are worrying. The price of food has rocketed and folk are going hungry as well as cold. Foodbank use is now shamefully high. Similarly, as the price has risen, the size has shrunk. The Mars bar of my childhood is now a sliver and the size of a box of cereal a fraction of what it once was.

We were told that Brexit would mean cheaper food. Instead it’s rocketed and the only cheap imports are to be from the likes of Australia and India, which threaten our farmers and even our health. What lies we were spun. But why do Labour and the Tories both persist with supporting what has clearly failed?

We don’t need to rejoin the EU but we should at least be in the Single Market, allowing ease of access for goods in and out.

Until that happens, we’re all going to get poorer and pay more for essentials. Labour simply mirroring the Tories or even trying to outdo them is no change at all.