Cost-of-living crisis: Over 1.3 million Scots struggling on income as Scottish Government blames Brexit

More than 1.3 million people in Scotland are struggling on their income, analysis from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has suggested.

The charity analysed research from YouGov, which revealed 29 per cent of people were finding it difficult on their income.

Considering this against Scotland’s adult population, CAS claimed this could mean more than 1.3 million people were struggling.

The Scottish Government suggested responsibility lay with the UK Government, blaming Brexit and former prime minister Liz Truss’s mini-budget.

More than 1.3 million Scots are struggling on their income due to the “squeeze of the cost-of-living crisis”, analysis has suggested. Picture: PA

CAS is now encouraging anyone worried about money or bills to seek advice.

Its financial health spokesman Myles Fitt said: “Many of us are feeling the squeeze of the cost-of-living crisis, but it is still startling to see well over a million people are estimated to be finding it difficult on their present incomes.

“Bills and prices have raced ahead of wages and benefits in the past year and show no signs of slowing down significantly. It’s a worrying time for many people.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about when well over a million of us are worried about money, it is affecting so many of us. That is why we would encourage people to seek advice, starting with our online advice resources like www.moneymap.scot.

“Our advisers get real results. We unlocked £132 million for people last year, and one in six people who sought advice saw a financial gain, the average value of which was over £4,200.

"Our advice is free, impartial and confidential. CABs don’t judge, they just help.”

As of June, the rate of inflation in the UK was 7.3 per cent, whereas food inflation was at 17.4 per cent.

Now the Scottish Government has insisted tackling poverty is “central” to its work, and blamed the UK Government for the figures.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The combined impact of a decade of austerity and economic mismanagement by the UK Government and the economic damage of a hard Brexit means people in Scotland are facing an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis.

"Much of the Scottish Government’s resources are going towards mitigating this as far as we can with the limited powers and fixed budget available to us.

“Tackling poverty and child poverty in particular is central to the work of the Scottish Government and the policies of this government, including the game-changing Scottish child payment, and mean that an estimated 90,000 fewer children will live in poverty this year. We are providing almost £3 billion to tackle poverty and the cost-of-living crisis, and are investing £12.3m in advice services that provide households across Scotland with advice on maximising incomes.”

A Treasury spokesperson said: “We know that rising prices are worrying for households across the country, which is why halving inflation this year and getting back to the 2 per cent target is our priority.”