Nation can’t tighten belt much more
Anyone who thinks that the cost of living crisis is over was probably never affected by it in the first place.
And for millions of people it is set to get a whole lot worse on April 1 when inflation busting increases in bills kick in.
Council tax is rising by almost 16 per cent in some areas, water charges are going up by almost 10per cent, energy rates are going up and for those who don’t own their own home, their rents are likely to soar too.
Thousands of Scots are now at real risk of homelessness as a result of rent cap restrictions being removed.
Someone who pays £600 a month for their house today could see their rent double overnight with little way to afford it.
Hardworking people who have had to tighten their belts a little more, have already cut down on luxuries or extra treats for the kids, but will soon find they’ve nowhere left to save from with such huge rises in everyday bills.
It won’t be a matter of reducing additional spending and only sticking to the essentials if the crisis continues.
And what happens to those families who are already struggling to make ends meet every month?
They work hard and still can’t afford to put food on the table and keep the lights on.
How will these people cope when they are expected to find hundreds of pounds extra?
Councils have been underfunded for years and so it’s not surprising they want to raise money by increasing taxes.
But that cash boost has to be put towards helping residents in tangible ways – not lining the pockets of senior management while streets are ridden with pot-holes.
There is also going to have to be a grown up discussion about whether we can afford to spend extra billions on defence.
Politicians of all stripes would agree that the best way forward for the economy is getting people into secure well-paying jobs.
When those jobs can no longer provide people with the financial security they need to afford the bare essentials then something is dreadfully wrong.
The government must step in and address the financial problems facing the country before more people tumble into destitution.
Trump resort attack wrong
The attack on Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf course cannot be condoned – any act of vandalism is a crime and can’t be accepted as a normal response to disagreement.
But the president must also realise his words have consequences.
When it comes to the increasingly fragile situation in Gaza, suggesting the war zone could simply be turned into a real estate development is crass and offensive.
Destroying a golf course is unlikely to make the president reconsider his position on Gaza.
But it is up to world leaders to help restore peace in the region through a just settlement for Palestinians who have suffered human rights abuses for decades.
They must also ensure the release of the Israeli citizens captured by terrorists almost 18 months ago.
Violence and offensive rhetoric is not the way to go about it.