IN MARCH 2020, East Lothian, like the rest of Scotland, was becoming aware of the impending health crisis that was Covid.

Within weeks of hearing of the disease, Scotland was in lockdown; nearly 30 months later, we are still living with the impacts of Covid.

The lockdown impacted us in many ways: families were separated, our elderly isolated, health services stretched, our businesses closing overnight.

Within the first few weeks, our communities stood up and started to organise themselves to look after our most vulnerable. The response was incredible to see; the community spirit was amazing. The council, Scottish and UK Governments played their part.

Now in August 2022, we face arguably an even bigger challenge – the cost of living crisis. We need an equally strong response.

Foodbank usage is up 80-90 per cent year on year every month; fuel poverty is expected to double from 15,000 households in East Lothian to 30,000. Energy bills are estimated to possibly reach up to £5,000 per year.

People this year will be choosing to either heat or eat – that’s the stark reality.

Inflation is forecast to reach 13 per cent; wages are falling at the fastest rate in history; the UK has the slowest growth rate in the G20 apart from Russia. Recession is forecast.

I will be asking for a meeting with the council to ask if the community resilience groups can be reconstituted as soon as possible to meet the challenges facing the residents of East Lothian. This is the minimum at this stage we need to do.

I will be looking at other proposed measures in my column next week.