WITH the recent warm weather, it’s strange to be considering winter and its hardship.

I’ve enjoyed venturing with my dog both along the East Lothian and Berwickshire coastal paths, as well as up a couple of Munros. But the weather will turn, hopefully not too soon. It will be crueller and harsher this year, not because of the climate but because of energy prices. Many, if not most, are going to feel it as costs rise.

The extent of the rises have already been eye-watering but worse is to come. It’s not just hikes due in October but further rises that will follow in January. For some, it may be unaffordable to simply stay warm. In an energy-rich country like Scotland, that’s perverse.

While the additional support offered by Government is welcome, it’s nowhere near enough to even mitigate it for some. What worsens the situation is the extent to which those most vulnerable suffer the most. Yet action to alleviate much of that could be done and at minimal cost.

There must be an end to pre-payment meters (PPM) charging a significantly higher tariff and standing charge rate. The current Government plans to address the crisis will see those on PPMs sent a voucher. That itself is a recipe for loss or fraud.

Rural parts need to see heating oil regulated as with gas and electricity. Both those actions can be done with a direction to Ofgem by the UK Government.

It’s also why VAT needs taken off energy prices. The power companies are making money hand over fist and often adding salt to the wound by paying huge corporate salaries.

Scotland has 96 per cent of UK crude oil and 63 per cent of natural gas resource but Westminster gets the revenues. The Scottish Government also has to answer why it’s allowing our offshore renewable resource to be sold off cheap and cabled south without a penny accruing here.

Scotland is energy rich, her folk shouldn’t be fuel poor.