Experts claim that monthly costs could rise above £4,000 for homes across the country.

People across Scotland have been urged to get the practical support they need now following warnings that energy bills could rise above £4,000 in April.

The new Chancellor has announced that UK Government help with bills will be cut in April, reversing plans to keep the support in place for two years.

More details are to be announced on how the most vulnerable will be protected from soaring prices, but Cornwall Insight has forecast that typical household bills could reach £4,347 a year from the spring.

Scotland’s national advice service, Advice Direct Scotland, has urged Scots not to wait until then to get the practical and free support available to them now.

This includes checking all benefits are being claimed through the charity’s benefits calculator, contacting the energyadvice.scot service for issues with bills and eligibility for grants, or speaking to FCA-regulated advisers on debt solutions at moneyadvice.scot.

Colin Mathieson, spokesperson for Advice Direct Scotland, said: “The Chancellor’s announcement means that there is uncertainty about the level of government support with energy bills after April, and there are fresh forecasts of astronomical costs.

“We would urge people across Scotland who are struggling with their bills not to wait until the spring to access the free support available to them.

“Right now, we have qualified advisers ready to provide free, practical support to anyone in Scotland through the energyadvice.scot service – and we can also help any customers having difficulties reaching their supplier.“Anyone with debt worries should speak to our advisers at moneyadvice.scot for possible solutions, and it’s vital that everyone checks they are receiving their full entitlement to benefits by using our calculator at www.advice.scot.”