Scots taxpayers suffer pinch more than ever

DESPITE it beginning with April Fool's Day, we usually feel that this month is a sort of new start. Spring gets into its stride - especially with last week's nice weather and the daffodils are in full bloom. Unfortunately, it's also the beginning of the tax year, when you notice just how much more you're shelling out, as new prices and taxes kick in and the bills go up.

- Rachael Hamilton

This year we'll all be noticing it even more than usual, since Scotland currently has to contend with two governments who are both addicted to tax rises, borrowing and public spending - though it's ordinary taxpayers who get saddled with the bill.

Energy bills are going up, because the energy price cap is rising well above inflation, making a mockery of the Labour government's promise to reduce bills by £300.

This, of course, is on top of Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves having shamefully ditched universal winter fuel payments for pensioners - another broken election pledge.

Scottish Water - a nationalised company - is putting the bills for households up by nearly 10%.