BY THE time this goes to press, it’s likely that Liz Truss will have been anointed Prime Minister.

Yet whilst she has mused on lifting the speed limit and increasing defence expenditure to three per cent, there’s been no detail of help on energy costs. Cutting taxes won’t help and refusing to give what she terms handouts won’t heat homes or keep businesses afloat.

Last week saw me having discussions about both those plights. Energy costs are going to be unaffordable for businesses that have served communities for generations. The only ones to survive unless action is taken will be large conglomerates which will see local jobs lost and further centralisation. Public services are as equally challenged. Councils have struggled to meet pay rises for staff. How will they be able to meet the huge hike in bills for everything from libraries to schools?

Meanwhile, households using heating oil are expected to place a minimum order of 500 litres. Yet a litre is now costing over £1. I’ve written to the Government seeking that steps are taken to either ensure that suppliers meet all orders or that they co-ordinate locally to ensure that bulk buying covers the order for all.

Last week, the average energy price was £446 per mwh, driven by international gas and electricity being tied to it. Yet the agreement for renewables is set at £48 per mwh. Scotland sees 97 per cent of its electricity supplied by renewables. Why are we paying absurd prices for electricity that we produce for a fraction?

Huge sums require to be put in initially to keep costs down but there has to be fundamental reform of the system. Financial support for energy suppliers should see nationalisation come about. There can be no repetition of the bank bailout.

Lastly, however grim life seems here, what’s befallen Pakistan is far worse. Billions have been provided for weapons to Ukraine, it’s essential that humanitarian aid be provided to Pakistan.