91Èȱ¬

Air feadh an t-saoghail, tha cosgaisean bith-beò a' fàgail dhaoine fo uallaich. Tha an cogadh anns an Ucràin, buaidh a' phandemic, agus staing ionmhais uile gan coireachadh.

Anns na h-Eileanan an Iar, tha draghan sònraichte ann mu bhuaidh àrdachadh chosgaisean. Tha teaghlaichean, peinnseinearan agus luchd-gnothachais a-riamh air a bhith a' dèiligeadh ri prìsean nas àirde na th' air tìr-mòr. Tha an ìre de bhochdainn connaidh nas àirde anns na h-eileanan na sgìre sam bith eile, agus tha amharas ann gum fàs sin nas miosa buileach thar a' gheamhraidh. Tha prìsean bìdh, connadh nach eil fo riaghladh, agus staid thaigheadais uile a' fàgail na h-eileanan nas dualtaiche fulang bho dhroch bhuaidhean shòisealta, slàinte agus eaconomaigeach ri linn àrdachadh ann an ìre na h-atmhorachd.

Bidh ·¡Ã²°ù±è²¹ a' bruidhinn ri muinntir nan Eilean Siar a tha a' faireachdainn iomagaineach, agus feadhainn a tha ag ullachadh gus taic a thoirt dhaibhsan a tha a dhìth air tron gheamhradh tha romhainn.

The cost-of-living crisis is affecting people all over the UK and Europe. Russia's war in Ukraine, the lingering effects of the pandemic and global financial turbulence are among the causes of a steep rise in the price of food, fuel and energy.

In the Western Isles, this is being felt in particular ways. Families, pensioners and businesses on the islands were already dealing with higher costs than the mainland. Fuel poverty levels have long been the highest in Scotland and are estimated to get a lot worse this winter. Expensive food, less-regulated sources of energy, and a draughty, ageing housing stock all combine to leave the islands more vulnerable to the social, health and economic dangers of inflation.

This week, ·¡Ã²°ù±è²¹ travels across the Western Isles speaking to residents who are concerned about their bills, to businesses who are having to make tough decisions, and to organisations and volunteers who try to help people in times of crisis. All are concerned about what this winter has in store.