Rail, alcohol and energy prices rise as Scots hit by 'triple whammy'

Train fares are set for a price hike as ScotRail's off-peak fares trial came to an end last week.
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Glasgow residents are being hit with a 'triple whammy' today as prices increase on rail fares, energy bills and alcohol pricing.

Commuters are facing a spike in rail fares as the Scottish Government scraps a nearly year-long trial on off-peak costs on ScotRail trains. The change has seen the price of an anytime return ticket between Glasgow and Edinburgh rise from £16.20 to £31.40 if passengers travel on a ScotRail service before 9.30am or from 4.30-6pm on weekdays.

Meanwhile, the price of alcohol in pubs and shops will also rise, with minimum unit pricing increases by almost a third. Gas and electricity prices will also shoot up as the energy price cap jumps.

The Daily Record reports that Scottish Labour MP Brian Leishman said people would "suffer" from the rail fare increases while also calling for energy price controls and said minimum unit pricing "hasn’t been the answer the SNP hoped for".

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ScotRail users will be hammered by the reintroduction of peak rail fares from this morning. Commuters will see a sharp increase in the price of their ticket if they travel on a ScotRail service before 9.30am or from 4.30-6pm on weekdays.

Alcohol prices will increase as the minimum price per unit of alcohol goes up from 50p to 65p today. The minimum price for a four pack of Tennent's cans will rise from £3.52 to £4.58. A 70cl of Famous Grouse will go from £14 to £18.20 and a bottle of Blossom Hill wine will go from £4.69 to £6.10.

Gas and electricity prices will skyrocket this week as the energy price cap increases. On Tuesday prices will go up by 10 per cent. This means that people using an average amount of gas and electricity will pay £1,717 a year adding £149 onto the average household bill.

Scottish Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie called for the SNP and Labour Governments to do more to help Scots who "have already been feeling the pinch from rapidly increasing prices, especially in their energy bills, in recent years."

He continued: "A good start from the new Labour government would be to reverse its decision to cut the Winter Fuel Allowance and help protect struggling pensioners.

"There is also plenty the SNP government could do to help struggling Scots, like cutting fares on government owned ScotRail or bringing down people's energy bills with an emergency insulation programme."

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Green co-leader Lorna Slater said: “Over the last 14 years of Tory rule we got used to seeing prices go up, benefits go down, services suffer, and wages stagnate. That’s the reality of austerity. So it’s baffling to see Labour double down on it.

"There is an alternative. The UK has the money, it’s just being hoarded by a tiny minority. We can tax the rich and use that money to build our country up rather than cut it down. Labour and the SNP are trying to pretend they don’t have a choice here, but that simply isn’t the case.”

A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said: "The Scottish Government would be open to consider future subsidy to remove peak fares should UK budget allocations improve in future years.

"Ministers understand this will be disappointing for many rail users, particularly for those who cannot choose when they travel to and from work. That is why a 12-month discount on all ScotRail season tickets has been introduced, available weekly, monthly and annually."

On minimum unit pricing, SNP Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Research commended by internationally-renowned public health experts estimated that our world-leading policy has saved hundreds of lives, likely averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions and contributed to reducing health inequalities."

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