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Dundee City Council leader ‘scratching his head’ over how he will pay his household bills

John Alexander fears he won't be able to pay his bills after being told they will rise by £576 a month. Image: Kris Miller/DC Thomson
John Alexander fears he won't be able to pay his bills after being told they will rise by £576 a month. Image: Kris Miller/DC Thomson

The leader of Dundee City Council has said he fears that he will not be able to pay his bills after being told they will increase by almost £600 a month.

Despite being the city’s top paid councillor, John Alexander says he has no idea how he will be able to make ends meet after receiving letters informing him of large mortgage and energy price rises.

Posting on Twitter on Tuesday evening he shared letters from his bank and energy supplier.

The first said the mortgage payments on his Menzieshill home are set to increase by £273 a month, from £674 to £947.

In the second, EDF said it would charge him £433 a month, an increase of more than £300.

Dundee City Council leader John Alexander. Image: Kris Miller/DC Thomson

He said that despite his senior position he is “scratching [his] head” trying to work out how he will be able to cover the £576 increase.

Mr Alexander’s full time job at the council brings in a salary of £37,213 a year and says if he is struggling, others would likely be in an even worse position.

He said the situation and the cost of living crisis makes him worried for the health of families and for children who may go to school cold and hungry.

‘I don’t live in a mansion, I live in Menzieshill’

He tweeted: “Since March, my mortgage and energy are set to increase by £576 extra per month.

“I don’t live in a mansion, or in an affluent area, I live in Menzieshill in Dundee.

“I know that I am in a fortunate, even privileged position compared to so many and yet, I am scratching my head trying to work out how I can cover all my bills.

“The reality is, for too many, this will destroy them. It will not only be the straw that broke the camel’s back but will also be the sword that took off its head.

“Sorry for the brutal analogy but this is truly brutal for communities across Scotland.”

He said similar news for lower earners “will destroy them” with the demand for foodbanks and support and advice services in the city already seeing demand increase.

He went on to say that the £2million in support the council has been able to give out so far to help local people “will not even begin to touch the sides”.

Councillors in neighbouring Angus have also expressed concern that increasing bills will cause a rise in child poverty in the winter.

‘Lack of support’ from government

He added: “Where’s the UK Government at this time of greatest need? Do they even understand or realise what its like to struggle to make ends meet, to debate whether you can afford to put the heating on feed your family?

“It makes me so angry. Kids going to sleep cold and hungry whilst bankers bonuses increase.

“Families going without, whilst the countries rich get richer. People losing their homes, because of the UK Government sheer and incredible incompetence.”

Under Prime Minister Liz Truss, the UK Government brought in an energy price cap which was set to last for two years but is now only guaranteed until April.

It limits a typical household bill to £2,500.

But her so-called mini-budget has been blamed for causing market chaos, including a huge spike in interest rates on mortgages for millions across the country.

John Alexander discussed the issue on Twitter. Image: Steve MacDougall/DC Thomson

Mr Alexander later told The Courier: “I am incredibly worried about the situation facing Dundonians across the board. The crisis is unprecedented, and we can’t sugar coat the severity of what winter might bring.

“People are at breaking point and that is only going to get worse. It’s time that the UK Government put up or stood aside, families can’t wait for ministers to find a conscious, they need help now.

“I am beyond angry, beyond worried and I will continue to do all that I can from my position to help but I know that won’t be enough.

“We’ve deployed more than £2 million of support and following a cost of living summit, held on October 7, we are looking at ways of enhancing our work, including access to clothing, warm spaces and expanding current efforts.

“As a father, as well as a councillor, I really worry about the health – mental and physical impact of families, the educational impact of kids going to school cold and perhaps hungrier and generally, how people will cope through winter, in particular.”

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