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Publications

  1. Publication date:
    September 2017

    Briefing on % split of paid staff to volunteers; types of services provided to compliment the generalist service; client financial gain and funding; how clients contacted CAB and the work undertaken by CAB in addition to giving advice

  2. Jamie Stewart
    Publication date:
    September 2017

    The Consumer Futures Unit at Citizens Advice Scotland supports ambitious climate change targets. We understand that the negative economic and social impact of climate change on future generations will be greater if action is not taken now.

    However, the near term impacts on the citizens of Scotland must be carefully managed to ensure that decarbonisation policies consider affordability and consumer needs and acceptability in a way that will build positive trust and lead to mutual positive outcomes.

     

  3. Scottish Government consultation
    Rob Gowans
    Publication date:
    September 2017

    Citizens Advice Scotland welcomes the opportunity to respond to the consultation, which builds on the previous consultation on the same subject carried out in 2009. Scotland’s CAB network has expertise in addressing socio-economic inequalities through the provision of independent advice, including income maximisation, benefits and money advice to groups who would be considered a priority in considering how the Socio-Economic Duty might be applied.

  4. Briefing from Citizens Advice Scotland
    Rhiannon Sims
    Publication date:
    September 2017

    Citizens Advice Scotland is calling for a freeze in the roll out of Universal Credit (UC) until serious policy and administrative issues have been addressed, to ensure that the positive principles behind Universal Credit can be achieved.

  5. Gail Walker
    Publication date:
    September 2017

    This leaflet takes you through the seven consumer principles, which guide the work of CAS. The principles were developed over time by consumer organisations based in the UK and further afield. They provide a sound basis to change organisations from thinking about consumers, to thinking like consumers in order to ensure that decision making is designed around their needs.

    Spotlight:
  6. Scottish Parliament Social Security Committee call for evidence
    Rob Gowans
    Publication date:
    August 2017

     In 2016/17, Scotland’s CAB network provided advice on 94,301 new issues relating to the benefits being devolved, representing 37% of benefits advice given, or 16% of all advice given by Scotland’s citizens advice bureaux in that year. CAS has provided a substantial body of evidence based on CAB clients and advisers’ daily experiences of engaging with the current system, together with their priorities for the new Scottish system.We look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government to ensure the new system is fair, equal and responsive with Scotland’s citizens at the heart of it.

  7. Ruth Mendel
    Publication date:
    August 2017

    Response to the Department for Work and Pensions Consultation on proposed reforms to the Funeral Expenses Payments scheme.

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  8. Ruth Mendel
    Publication date:
    July 2017

    The Scottish Government are undertaking a review of the National Transport Strategy (NTS) in order to develop a successor to the current strategy. The new transport strategy will set out the vision for transport over the next 20 years. 

    Spotlight:
  9. Study on the affordability of water and sewerage charges based on low income households
    Rebecca Millar
    Publication date:
    June 2017

    The Consumer Futures Unit of Citizens Advice Scotland is inviting tenders for research into a Study on the affordability of water and sewerage charges based on low income households

     

     

  10. nina.ballantyne
    Publication date:
    June 2017

    Up and down the country, decisions are taken every year that affect us as consumers of energy, post and water. These can be anything from new laws, to choices made by private companies. A wide variety of interests and priorities are considered by these decision makers, who range from businesses and political parties to government officials and regulators. 

  11. Publication date:
    June 2017

    The Consumer Futures Unit's inaugural consumer tracker survey reveals some of the experiences and habits of consumers of energy, post and water services in Scotland.

  12. Jamie Stewart
    Publication date:
    June 2017

    Our Energy Advice in Detail report analyses the energy issues upon which Citizens Advice Service clients in Scotland sought help in 2015-16, and places these issues within the wider policy context. Issues were raised through the following three services:

    • 23,237 new energy issues brought by clients through the 61 Citizens Advice Bureaux across Scotland, an increase of 5% from 2014-15.
    • 4,210 calls from Scotland to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service-a decrease of 12% from 2014-15.
    • 1,163 vulnerable consumers in Scotland supported by the Extra Help Unit, almost identical to the number in 2014-15.
  13. Research into support for people reliant on private water supplies
    Publication date:
    June 2017

    The Consumer Futures Unit of Citizens Advice Scotland is inviting tenders for research into  the provision of an adequate system of support for people reliant on private water supplies.

  14. Research on face-to-face actions to help consumers in fuel poverty in Scotland
    Jamie Stewart
    Publication date:
    June 2017

    Facing Fuel Poverty explores what projects and services delivering face-to-face fuel poverty advice exist in Scotland and examines the benefits and costs of delivering such services.

    Based on research carried out by Changeworks on behalf of the CFU, we note that tailored fuel poverty advice, delivered in the home, is reported as a necessary service for certain consumers, but that improved monitoring and evaluation of projects is needed. 

  15. The role of medical evidence in the benefits system
    Rhiannon Sims
    Publication date:
    June 2017

    Our ‘Burden of Proof’ report explores the role that medical evidence plays in assessing ill health and disability benefits, from the perspective of Citizens Advice Bureaux clients, advisers and some of the professionals involved.

  16. Publication date:
    June 2017

    The Consumer Futures Unit at Citizens Advice Scotland has published its work plan for 2017-18. 

  17. Scottish Parliament Local Government and Communities Communities Committee
    Rob Gowans
    Publication date:
    June 2017

    Though not the only driver of homelessness, the past five years have seen a large increase in the number of rent arrears issues dealt with by Scotland’s CAB network. CAS is commencing research to examine the causes and consequences of rent arrears for CAB clients, including those who become homeless as a result. This submission examines CAB data related to homelessness and rent arrears, as well as some of the causes of rent arrears that can lead to evictions and homelessness.

  18. Jamie Stewart
    Publication date:
    June 2017

    “We welcome the production of an energy strategy which draws together all aspects of energy production and consumption, and presents a whole system view. 

    We also welcome the ambition of the strategy to deliver targets such as an all energy target for the equivalent of 50% of Scotland’s heat, transport and electricity to be supplied from renewable sources by 2030. However given the significant role that consumers are likely to play in achieving these targets, the impacts upon consumers must be central to proposals and policies set out in the final energy strategy.

    Consumers will be especially important in the delivery of low carbon heating in Scotland’s domestic buildings. Given the uptake of renewable heating systems in Scotland has been relatively low to date, the affordability and understanding of consumer behaviour in new policies must be carefully considered moving forward.

    Currently those who live off the gas grid and often rely on expensive electric heating suffer from the highest rates of fuel poverty. The transition to low carbon heating systems and a low carbon energy system more widely, must ensure that these households are supported as a priority.

    As highlighted as a key theme in the strategy, the energy transition must be stable and managed and consider the needs of all consumers in Scotland.”  

  19. A snapshot of citizens advice bureaux clients
    Publication date:
    June 2017

    Our 5th edition in the 'Who Are You?' series, coming to you in a new format, describes those coming to citizens advice bureaux in Scotland for advice during November 2016.  

  20. A look at how people in Scotland feel about finances, credit and debt
    Linda Hutton
    Publication date:
    May 2017

    We asked people from across Scotland about their relationship with money, debt, credit, and planning for the future.

    Spotlight:

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