- Patient Advice and Support Service (213kb)
May 2012
This briefing sheet provides and explanation of the new Patient Advice and Support Service.
- Homelessness in Scotland (135kb)
April 2012
Briefing on CAB evidence relating to homelessness in Scotland for the Scottish Parliament debate on the 2012 Homelessness Commitment.
- Remote Communities (141kb)
April 2012
Citizens Advice Scotlands response to the OFT's consultation on the issues faced by remote communities was written in consultation with CAB, and highlights both the particular issues faced by CAB clients.
- Housing Benefit Reform (180kb)
April 2012
Briefing on the effects of Housing Benefit reform on the people, communities and economy of Scotland.
- Submission for the Welfare Reform Committee (119kb)
April 2012
CAS' response to the Scottish Parliament's Welfare Reform Committee's call for evidence relating to the Scottish Government’s Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill.
- Charging Fees in Employment Tribunals (172kb)
March 2012
Submission from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) to the Ministry of Justice consultation on charging fees for employment tribunals
- Scottish Parliament Debate: Housing Benefit Reform (174kb)
March 2012
A briefing to the Scottish Parliament ahead of the debate on Housing Benefit reform in April 2012, outlining concerns about the combined impact of decreasing budgets for housing services and local authorities, alongside other welfare changes on housing benefit claimants and the increase in public service demand that this will create.
- From pillar to post (1600kb)
February 2012
This report examines the impact of the IB/ESA migration on the 170,000 claimants who are to be reassessed in Scotland and the wider impact this will have on advice services, labour markets, and the economy.
- A Response to the OFT annual plan 2012/13 (104kb)
February 2012
The key priority areas for citizens advice bureau clients primarily relate to the work of the OFT in the consumer credit and financial products markets. This response outlines the areas of work which we would like to see the OFT continue as priorities, and highlights areas of concern for further consideration by the OFT.
- CAS briefing for the WCA debate (93kb)
February 2012
A briefing to Scottish MPs for the Westminster Hall Debate on the ESA Work Capability Assessment, 1st February 2011
- Citizens Advice Scotland Briefing on Welfare Reform Bill as amended in House of Lords (144kb)
February 2012
A briefing to Scottish MPs on the seven amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill brought forward and passed by the House of Lords prior to the Westminster debate on the 1st February 2012. The briefing looks at the negative impact of the bill on the people, society and economy of Scotland, and discusses ways in which the proposed amendments would decrease these impacts.
- Fair employment (401kb)
February 2012
The recession has a created a situation in which poor employment practices are more common. Based on case evidence from citizens advice bureaux, which shows numerous examples of poor employer behaviour, this report argues that it is in the interests of both employees and good employers that a Fair Employment Commission be establised to help enforce employment rights and responsibilities.
- Bank accounts for bankrupts (78kb)
February 2012
Submission from Citizens Advice Scotland to the UK Government Insolvency Service consultation on Bank Accounts for Bankrupts
- From pillar to post (print friendly version) (1549kb)
February 2012
This report examines the impact of this migration on the 170,000 claimants who are to be reassessed in Scotland and the wider impact this will have on advice services, labour markets, and the economy. (NB. If you wish to print out a hard copy of the report, please use this version)
- Help yourself... to prepare for later life (310kb)
February 2012
A leaflet containing information about what you may be entitled to once you reach state pension age
- Useful links and websites for policy work (125kb)
February 2012
A collection of websites and other online resources that the CAS policy team have found useful
- Big Energy Week Summary Report (2227kb)
February 2012
In January 2012 CAS coordinated a national campaign event called Big Energy Week. The aim was to encourage Scottish consumers to check their energy tariffs and their entitlement to free insulation and assistance with their energy bills.
- Free delivery* (1107kb)
December 2011
This report shows that consumers in rural and remote areas of Scotland are often refused delivery or charged more than people in urban areas when ordering goods online. Citizens Advice Scotland is urging online retailers to ensure that they comply with the law on distance selling, reform their delivery policies so that any charges are kept to a minimum and offer delivery via Royal Mail wherever possible.
- Advice in Scotland 2010/11 (2081kb)
December 2011
Advice in Scotland 2010/11 is Citizens Advice Scotland’s state of the nation report on the problems that people are experiencing across the country. Providing new and in depth information on the hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland who use a bureau for advice every year, this report shows the key problems experienced by clients across the country.
- A response to the Scottish Government consultation on the creation of a Scottish Civil Justice Council (146kb)
December 2011
Citizens advice bureaux advised on 25,769 new legal issues in 2010/11; an increase of 7% on the previous year. Additionally, bureaux reported a significant increase in the assistance they are providing in benefit appeals, helping clients to complete over 12,000 welfare tribunal documents, and representing clients at 3,312 welfare tribunals(an annual increase of 58%). CAS welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation on the creation of a Scottish Civil Justice Council.
- CAS briefing on high interest pay day loans (146kb)
December 2011
A briefing for MSPs outling CAB case evidence on the effects of pay day loans, ahead of the Member's Business Debate on High-interest Payday Loans on Thursday 12 January 2012 (Motion S4M-01558).
- Getting Divorced (202kb)
December 2011
A public information booklet about getting divorced.
- Young people and employment (245kb)
November 2011
The fourth briefing sheet in a series looking at problems young people are experiencing in the recession. For more information please look at our 2011 report, Being Young Being Heard.
- Scottish Government Spending Review & Draft Budget: Finance Committee (166kb)
October 2011
Submission from Citizens Advice Scotland to the Finance Committee scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13
- Scottish Government Spending Review & Draft Budget: Infrastructure & Capital Investment Committee (190kb)
October 2011
Submission from Citizens Advice Scotland to the Infrastructure & Capital Investment Committee: Scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13
- A response to the Scottish Government consultation on the devolution of crisis loans and community care grants (173kb)
October 2011
Crisis Loans and Community Care Grants are to be devolved to Scotland. This response to the consultation advised Scottish Government how successor arrangements might operate in Scotland.
- Snapshot - April to June 2011 (1790kb)
October 2011
Briefing outlining the social policy issues that have been reported by citizens advice bureaux across Scotland between April to June 2011.
- Scottish Government Spending Review & Draft Budget: Justice Committee (192kb)
October 2011
Submission from Citizens Advice Scotland to the Justice Committee: Scrutiny of the Scottish Government's Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13
- CAS Submission to the Health and Sport Committee Scrutiny of the UK Welfare Reform Bill Legislative Consent Motion (159kb)
October 2011
CAS' submission to the Scottish Parliament Health & Sport Committee, which will be scrutinising the UK Welfare Reform Bill Legislative Consent Motion, gives detail on the impact of aspects of the bill to Scotland’s people, services and economy. In addition it sets out our arguments for the establishment of a Scottish Parliament Welfare and Benefits Committee and our position on the LCM.
- Empowering and protecting consumers (188kb)
October 2011
CAS’ response to the government consultation on the simplification of the consumer landscape, including the transfer of Consumer Direct's advice-giving work to Citizens Advice Scotland and Citizens Advice (England and Wales) in April 2012.
- The Impact of the Welfare Reform Bill on Scotland's people and services (959kb)
October 2011
CAS has prepared a briefing on the impact of the welfare reform bill on Scotland’s people, services, and devolved areas and called for the Scottish Parliament to set up a Welfare Reform Bill Committee.
- Young People and benefits (267kb)
October 2011
The third in a series of briefing sheets produced from the CAS report 'Being Young Being Heard'. This briefing focus on the specific issues young people face in the welfare system.
- Crimes of Persuasion (496kb)
October 2011
This report uses evidence from CAB across Scotland to show the impact scams can have on the most vulnerable in society. It also shows how scams are increasing in scope and spreading into all of the advice areas offered by bureaux. By raising awareness of the issue and offering advice on how to protect from scams, we hope to educate and empower consumers and make it harder for scammers to operate.
- Scottish Government Spending Review & Draft Budget: Local Government & Regeneration Committee (135kb)
October 2011
Submission from Citizens Advice Scotland to the Local Government and Regeneration Committee Scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13
- Interim response to the consultation on Empowering and Protecting Consumers (294kb)
September 2011
CAS interim response to the BIS Empowering and Protecting Consumers consultation.
- CAS response to Year 2 of the Harrington Review (342kb)
September 2011
The CAS response to the second year of the Harrington Review, based on the input of over 130 managers, advisers and volunteers from 60 different bureaux across Scotland.
- SCoWR briefing on the Welfare Reform Bill (House of Lords) (115kb)
September 2011
This briefing draws on the SCoWR manifesto to set out five key principles for welfare reform agreed by our diverse membership. It calls on the House of Lords to ensure these principles underpin debate and decisions on the Welfare Reform Bill.
- Young people and housing (368kb)
September 2011
Citizens Advice Scotland’s latest briefing in our series on the problems facing young people in Scotland. The briefing details many of the housing issues that young people face in Scotland, including high house prices, expensive private lets, a lack of affordable housing, and subsequent homelessness problems.
- Scottish Parliament Finance Committee call for evidence: preventative spending (80kb)
September 2011
Scrutiny of the forthcoming spending review and draft budget for 2012-13, in response to the call for evidence on preventative spending.
- Debt Advice in Scotland (897kb)
September 2011
Debt advice is a key component of the advice that is offered by citizens advice bureaux. This report from Citizens Advice Scotland is based on statistical returns from 85% of member citizens advice bureaux in Scotland, and shows a snapshot of the work that bureaux undertook in advising debt clients in 2010/11.
- Debt (mis)management (1108kb)
September 2011
A short report from Citizens Advice Scotland detailing recent case evidence on debt management companies from Scottish citizens advice bureaux.
- JSA Sanctions briefing sheet (125kb)
August 2011
This briefing sheet looks at the sharp rise in sanctions and the unhelpful effects they have on the people affected, as well as recommendations for improving the system.
- DWP consultation on DLA/PIP - Citizens Advice Scotland response (135kb)
August 2011
CAS’ response to the Government’s consultation on the introduction of PIP outlines potential impacts in Scotland of the proposed changes in Scotland.
- Working with the Scottish CAB Service: a guide for parliamentarians (1276kb)
July 2011
MigRes - Pol brief
A guide for Parliamentarians to the work of the Citizens Advice Bureau Service in Scotland. The guide provides information on how MSPs and Scottish MPs can help their constituents on a range of issues including debt, advice, housing and employment.
- SCoWR response to SSAC consultation on passported benefits (126kb)
July 2011
The Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform (SCoWR)response to the SSAC consultation on passported benefits.
- Consumer redress for misleading and aggressive practices (121kb)
July 2011
Response from Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland to the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission. The response supports the objective to gain straightforward private rights of redress for misleading and aggressive practices.
- Welfare Reform Bill - House of Commons Report Stage briefing 13 June.pdf (1039kb)
June 2011
CAS was involved in the shaping and writing of amendments proposed by action for children/SCoWR for the third reading of the welfare reform bill. The amendment relates to childcare and costs, and work focused interviews.
- SCoWR briefing on welfare reform (83kb)
June 2011
Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform (SCoWR) briefing sent to all Scottish MPs.
- Welfare Reform briefing (450kb)
June 2011
The CAS welfare reform briefing has been sent to all Scottish MP’s before the 3rd reading of the Welfare Reform Bill in the House of Commons. The focus of the briefing looks at the major issues affecting our clients in the bill and impact on devolved legislation in Scotland.
- Snapshot - January to March 2011 (451kb)
June 2011
Briefing outlining the social policy issues that have been reported by citizens advice bureaux from January to March 2011.
- Tackling Unexpectedly High Bills - OFCOM consultation (247kb)
June 2011
Response to OFCOM's consultation on tackling unexpectedly high bills or 'bill shock' in telecommunications . Views sought on why these occur, the impact of these bills, and preventative measures.
- Desperate times, desperate consumers (922kb)
June 2011
The current economic recession has provided rogue traders with opportunities to make money out of desperate consumers seeking to manage their restricted finances. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England, Wales and Scotland have been reporting the scams experienced by consumers.
- Help yourself... to manage your fuel bills (172kb)
April 2011
Public information booklet on how to manage fuel bills.
- Inquiry into migration from Incapacity Benefit to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) (138kb)
April 2011
Inquiry into the migration from Incapacity Benefit to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Response from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) to the Work and Pensions Committee.
- The Money Advice Service flyer (170kb)
April 2011
A5 flyer with information on how to access the face to face Money Advice Service in Scotland, delivered by the Scottish CAB Service.
- Help yourself... to get more money (236kb)
April 2011
Public information booklet on how to cut bills or get more money.
- Telecommunications Problems (311kb)
April 2011
This briefing looks at problems with mobile phone, landline, and internet services including unclear terms and conditions, hidden costs, and mis-selling.
- Advice in Detail - Employment 2009/10 (441kb)
March 2011
This report is a detailed look at the employment issues that clients bring to the Scottish CAB Service.
- Advice in Detail - Benefits 2009/10 (644kb)
March 2011
This report is a detailed look at the benefits issues that clients bring to the Scottish CAB Service.
- Cashing In (278kb)
March 2011
This joint report by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland describes how people struggling as a result of the recession are being targeted by firms who phone or text out of the blue offering to help find a loan. People are then charged a hefty fee for a loan that often fails to materialise, and cannot get their money back.
- Help yourself... to manage your mortgage (202kb)
March 2011
Public information booklet for homeowners who worry about paying their mortgage.
- Advice in Detail - Housing 2009/10 (526kb)
March 2011
This report is a detailed look at the housing issues that clients bring to the Scottish CAB Service.
- Help yourself... if you're made redundant (314kb)
March 2011
Public information booklet on what to do if you are made redundant.
- Advice in Detail - Relationships 2009/10 (723kb)
March 2011
This report is a detailed look at the relationship issues that clients bring to the Scottish CAB Service.
- Being Young Being Heard briefing (387kb)
February 2011
The briefing which accompanies Citizens Advice Scotland’s new report, Being Young Being Heard.
- OFT and LBRO consultation on the operation of the BIS Civil Sanctions Pilot (83kb)
February 2011
Joint response from Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland to the OFT and LBRO consultation on the operation of the BIS Civil Sanctions Pilot.
- Westminster Hall Debate: housing benefit changes in Scotland (160kb)
February 2011
Citizens Advice Scotland’s briefing for the Westminster Hall debate taking place on Tuesday the 8th of February on the effects of housing benefit changes on Scotland.
- Being Young Being Heard (2806kb)
February 2011
Citizens Advice Scotland’s new report Being Young Being Heard outlines the impact of the recession on young people in Scotland in their own words.
- SCoWR response to DLA reform consultation (109kb)
February 2011
Citizens Advice Scotland is a member of SCoWR, the Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform. This is the SCoWR response to the Disabilty Living Allowance reform consultation.
- DLA consultation response (148kb)
February 2011
This is a Citizens Advice Scotland's response to the DWP consultation response on the reform of Disability Living Allowance.
- Basic bank accounts in Scotland (79kb)
January 2011
This briefing was issued to Scottish MPs on the 18th of January 2011 to inform the debate in Westminster Hall on basic bank accounts in Scotland.
- Parliamentary Briefing on Kinship Care (200kb)
December 2010
In response to Member's Debate in the Scottish Parliament on 16 December 2010.
- Making Kinship Care Payments (161kb)
November 2010
A technical briefing for local authorities, published in November 2010.
- Citizens Advice Scotland's response to the Consumer Credit review (295kb)
December 2010
CAS has responded to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skill's call for evidence on the consumer credit and personal insolvency review. The review looks at issues, practices and policies around store cards, credit cards, high cost credit products, debt remedies and credit related debt issues.
- Advice in Detail - Consumer (1111kb)
December 2010
This report is a detailed look at the consumer issues that clients bring to the Scottish CAB Service.
- Banking on the Basics (1847kb)
November 2010
Evidence report outlining issues experienced by people living in Scotland in accessing basic bank accounts.
- 2009/10 CAS Accounts (1522kb)
November 2010
Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 March 2010
- Banking on the Basics briefing sheet (125kb)
November 2010
Briefing sheet which accompanies the evidence report Banking on the Basics - an outline of issues experienced by people living in Scotland in accessing basic bank accounts.
- Corporate Plan 2011-2014 (96kb)
November 2010
CAS's corporate plan for period 2011-2014.
- Westminster Hall Debate: Comprehensive Spending Review (121kb)
November 2010
CAS briefing on the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review on the DWP.
- Public Bodies Bill - briefing for Scottish Lords (147kb)
November 2010
CAS’s briefing for Scottish Lords in relation to the Public Bodies Bill Stage 2 debate in the House of Lords.
- Annual report 2009/10 (A2) (7117kb)
November 2010
CAS's annual report 2009/10. Further copies and the full financial expenditure report are available on request.
- Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill briefing (109kb)
November 2010
Briefing on Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill - Stage 1 debate.
- Annual report 2009/10 (A3 print version) (6861kb)
November 2010
CAS's annual report 2009/10. Further copies and the full financial expenditure report are available on request.
- Help yourself... if your contract changes (138kb)
November 2010
Public information booklet on your employment contract and the rights you have.
- Kinship Care poster (155kb)
October 2010
poster promoting the national helpline number for the kinship care project
- Westminster Hall Debate: Banking in Scotland (172kb)
October 2010
A summary briefing and evidence based memorandum prepared for the debate on Banking in Scotland in Westminster Hall at the UK Parliament.
- The Legal Services Bill briefing (54kb)
October 2010
Briefing for MSPs on The Legal Services Bill which was passed at stage 3 on October 6th 2010.
- Relative Value briefing sheet (116kb)
October 2010
Briefing sheet to accompany the Relative Value report on kinship carers in Scotland
- Advice in Scotland 2009-2010 (795kb)
October 2010
Advice in Scotland 09/10 is the first in a series of reports that look in detail at the people who use the service and the problems that they experience in their lives. The reports will be of great interest to policy makers, advice givers, businesses, and anyone with an interest in the major issues that affect people across Scotland. This report looks at those who seek advice and the broad areas of problems that they bring.
- Relative Value (995kb)
October 2010
Evidence report based on the experiences of kinship carers in Scotland.
- Housing Benefit briefing (298kb)
October 2010
CAS submitted a briefing for the Work & Pensions Committee for their evidence session taking place the 20th October, on the changes to Housing Benefit announced in the June 2010 budget. The evidence based briefing presents the Scottish perspective on the proposed changes.
- Scottish Affairs Committee memo (78kb)
October 2010
Scottish Affairs Committee: Enquiry into the Banking Sector. A memorandum from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS).
- E-Consumer Protection (91kb)
September 2010
Response from CAS on OFT consultation on e-consumer protection.
- Work Capability Assessment (537kb)
September 2010
Consultation response on the Work Capability Assessment for Employment and Support Allowance.
- National Minimum Wage Consultation Response (374kb)
September 2010
A response from CAS to the Low Pay Commission.
- 21st Century Welfare Response (76kb)
September 2010
CAS was a major contributor to the Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform's joint member response to the 21st Century Welfare Consultation, which saw some of the groups key policy calls for a better welfare system included in the consultation paper.
- Armed Services Advice Project leaflet (195kb)
August 2010
Leaflet about the Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP) for service users.
- Armed Services Advice Project resource guide (459kb)
August 2010
20-page booklet providing directory of organisations working with the Armed Forces Community and case studies to show the positive impact they can make on peoples' lives.
- Leaflets & posters July 2010 (2275kb)
July 2010
Leaflets and posters catalogue, July 2010.
- Fully Charged (116kb)
June 2010
Briefing sheet to accompany the Fully Charged report which focused on bank charges and their affect on CAB clients.
- Fully Charged (1097kb)
June 2010
Research report which looks at the continuing effects of unfair and disproportionate overdraft charges on vulnerable and low income clients.
- IASS: supporting you with your health concerns (117kb)
June 2010
Briefing sheet which explains the IASS service.
- Volunteer adviser leaflet (4937kb)
May 2010
leaflet explaining a little about the role of a volunteer adviser in a Scottish citizens advice bureau.
- BIS Civil Sanctions Pilot (162kb)
May 2010
A consultation on the pilot operation of civil sanction powers for consumer law enforcement.
- Unfit for Purpose (808kb)
May 2010
Evidence report on Employment and Support Allowance.
- The Review of a Strategic Approach to the Provision of Information (102kb)
May 2010
Response from CAS on the Review of Strategic Approach to the Provision of Information, Advice and Representation.
- Members Business Debate - Unfit for Purpose (372kb)
May 2010
Members business debate on CAS's evidence report on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Unfit for Purpose.
- Your Rights-Your Call (544kb)
May 2010
A public information booklet for young people (16 to 21 year olds) advising on their rights.
- The Independent Budget Review (144kb)
April 2010
Response from CAS on the Independent Budget Review.
- Community Tax and Collection Charges (139kb)
April 2010
Consultation response on community charge and council tax collection periods.
- SCoWR: Manifesto for Change (206kb)
April 2010
Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform: Manifesto for Change.
- Debt Management Companies - CAB evidence (84kb)
March 2010
Briefing on debt management companies based on evidence from CAB clients.
- Consumer Advocate Consultation Response (216kb)
March 2010
joint response from CAS and Citizens Advice (England and Wales) to the BIS consultation on 'The Role and Powers of the Consumer Advocate'.
- Draft Proposal -The Enforcement of Local Tax Arrears (Scotland) Bill (945kb)
March 2010
Draft proposal for a Bill to align local authority powers to pursue tax debts with those for other debts.
- Post Office Banking Consultation Response (110kb)
March 2010
CAS's response to the UK Government's consultation on developing the banking and financial services available at the PO.
- Social Policy Successes 13 (1221kb)
March 2010
Social Policy Successes. Issue 13 Jan 2009 to March 2010.
- The Scottish CAB Service: the public verdict (233kb)
March 2010
Results of latest poll by Ipsos MORI Scotland.
- Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill - stage 3 (38kb)
February 2010
Stage 3 Debate Briefing for Politicians on the Home Owner & Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill.
- A Better Deal for Consumers (107kb)
January 2010
A Better Deal for Consumers: Review of the Regulation of Credit and Store Cards.
- Help yourself...to sort out your debts (110kb)
January 2010
Public information booklet on how to sort out debts.
- Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill - stage 2 (59kb)
January 2010
Stage 2 Debate Briefing for Politicians on the Home Owner & Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill.
- The Debt Arrangement Scheme - Improving Access (109kb)
December 2009
Consultation response considering how to improve access to the Debt Arrangement Scheme.
- Patients Rights Bill 2010 - Finance Committee (134kb)
December 2009
Submission to the Finance Committee in regards to the Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill 2010.
- Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill (133kb)
December 2009
Submission to the Health and Sport committee.
- Credit Crunch funding briefing for debt debate (30kb)
December 2009
Credit crunch funding needs to be continued for bureaux post March 2010 - this is a briefing for politicians regarding this funding.
- Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotlland) Bill - stage 1 (34kb)
December 2009
Stage 1 Debate Briefing for Politicians on the Home Owner & Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill.
- Legal Services (Scotland) Bill (50kb)
December 2009
Consultation response on the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill 2010.
- Drowing in Debt: Older CAB debt clients (160kb)
November 2009
Drowning in debt briefing sheet which focuses on older people and debt (2009)
- Annual report 2008/09 (2420kb)
November 2009
CAS Annual Report covering the period 2008-2009.
- Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill (40kb)
November 2009
Consultation response considering how to improve access to the Debt Arrangement Scheme.
- Membership Scheme Standards version 9.doc (82kb)
November 2009
To ensure compliance with all six conditions of membership each member and probationary member citizens advice bureau is required to submit itself to audit by the CAS audit team.
- Scottish Affairs Committee (51kb)
November 2009
Memo from CAS on Scottish Affairs Committee: enquiry into the Banking Sector.
- Members Business Debate on Drowning in Debt (99kb)
November 2009
Briefing for the members debate on CAS's report Drowning in Debt.
- CAS financial statements 2008/09 (2137kb)
November 2009
CAS financial statements 2008/09.
- Employment and Support Allowance (122kb)
October 2009
Briefing which provides a summary of issues encounterd by clients applying for and/or claiming ESA.
- Social Policy Statistics briefing sheet 2008/09 (198kb)
August 2009
A summary of advice code statistics for Scottish bureaux between April 2008 and March 2009.
- OFT Consumer Credit Review (48kb)
June 2009
Consultation response which outlines the problems faced by bureaux clients in the consumer credit sector.
- Drowning in Debt (375kb)
June 2009
Briefing sheet relating to CAS report on multiple debt.
- Debt Arrangement Scheme Amendment Regulations 2009 (57kb)
June 2009
Submission to the Justice Committee by CAS in regards to the Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2009.
- Drowning in Debt (864kb)
June 2009
Evidence based report on CAB debt clients in 2009.
- Drowning in Debt: Sick and Disabled (161kb)
June 2009
Drowning in Debt briefing sheet which focuses on clients with ill health or disabilities.
- Drowning in Debt: Creditor Behaviour (161kb)
June 2009
Drowning in Debt briefing sheet which focuses on creditor behaviour.
- Drowning in Debt: Low Income (159kb)
June 2009
Drowning in Debt briefing sheet which focuses on clients with low incomes.
- Drowning in Debt: Young People (161kb)
June 2009
Drowning in Debt briefing sheet which focuses on young clients.
- Drowning in Debt: Lone Parents (162kb)
June 2009
Drowning in Debt briefing sheet which focuses on clients who are lone parents.
- Drowning in Debt: Coping with Debt (163kb)
June 2009
Drowning in Debt briefing sheet which focuses on how clients cope with debt.
- Social policy statistics 2007/08 (153kb)
May 2009
Briefing sheet which gives a summary of the issues clients came to bureaux with in 2007/08
- Coping with the Economic Downturn - a practical guide (743kb)
April 2009
A public information booklet about coping with redundancy.
- Services offered by CAS to member bureaux (108kb)
March 2009
A summary of the services offered by CAS to our member citizens advice bureaux including training, information services, and social policy work.
- Kinship Care (112kb)
March 2009
Briefing sheet exploring the issues faced by people looking after children that are not their own.
- Briefing on UK Banks (345kb)
March 2009
Briefing sent to the Treasury Select Committee detailing the evidence of Scottish citizens advice bureaux regarding the actions and policies of UK banks.
- The Credit Crunch (118kb)
February 2009
Briefing which outlines the impact the credit crunch has had on Scottish CAB clients.
- Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform (527kb)
February 2009
Leaflet describing SCoWR - a Scottish voice for issues on welfare reform.
- IASS analysis final report 2009.pdf (326kb)
January 2009
- Homelessness (130kb)
December 2008
Briefing which outlines the increase in homelessness issues that bureaux have dealt with since 2000.
- Social Housing (128kb)
December 2008
Briefing which considers the problems experienced by CAB clients living in social housing.
- Homeowners (128kb)
December 2008
Briefing sheet which looks at the issues homeowners face in Scotland.
- Social Policy Successes 12 (813kb)
December 2008
Social Policy Successes. Issue 12 July to December 2008.
- Private Rented Accommodation (130kb)
December 2008
Briefing which examines the problems experienced by CAB clients living in private rented accommodation.
- Personal Current Accounts (132kb)
November 2008
Consultation response focusing on the problems that bureau clients experience in operating their current accounts.
- Irresponsible Lending - A Consultation Response to the OFT (109kb)
November 2008
Consultation response on Irresponsible Lending to the OFT.
- Annual Report 2007/08 (883kb)
November 2008
CAS Annual Report covering the period 2007-2008
- Corporate plan 2008-2011 (109kb)
November 2008
CAS's corporate plan for period 2008-2011.
- Debt Arrangement Scheme (118kb)
October 2008
A summary of the CAS research into the accessibility of the Debt Arrangement Scheme for CAB clients.
- Continental Drift (2856kb)
October 2008
Evidence report designed to better understand the interface between A8 clients and the capacity and ability of bureaux to deal with their needs.
- Growing Old Together: Older Clients and Debt (1757kb)
October 2008
Evidence report which looks at the impact of debt on older CAB clients.
- Continental Drift (121kb)
October 2008
Briefing sheet which outlines the key findings of the Continental Drift report on A8 migrant workers and their advice needs.
- Older People and Debt (121kb)
October 2008
Briefing which outlines the key findings from the Growing Old Together research report.
- No One Written Off - Reforming Welfare to Reward Responsibility (488kb)
October 2008
Response to the DWP's Green Paper on welfare reform.
- Evaluation of IASS (312kb)
October 2008
Independent evaluation of IASS, carried out in October 2008
- Restricted Access - The Debt Arrangement Scheme (549kb)
September 2008
Research report which details the effect of the changes to the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) on bureau clients.
- Tax Credits Consultation Response (288kb)
September 2008
Consultation response which outlines some of the key tax credit issues that CAB clients and advisers have reported over the last year.
- National Minimum Wage (88kb)
August 2008
Consultation on National Minimum Wage - Response to the Low Pay Commission.
- CAS Veteran Consultation Response (197kb)
August 2008
A consultation response from CAS regarding the Scottish Government veterans consultation.
- Barriers to Employment (236kb)
July 2008
Vulnerable clients are struggling to overcome the barriers that stand between them and employment.
- Out of Work Problems (240kb)
July 2008
Briefing sheet on employment ending and issues clients face.
- All in a Days Work (239kb)
July 2008
Briefing sheet on employment.
- Local Income Tax response (2148kb)
July 2008
CAS response to the Scottish Government consultation on a local income tax, highlighting serious problems with the current systems.
- Social Policy Successes 11 (1515kb)
June 2008
Social Policy Successes. Issue 11 Jan to June 2008.
- Tackling Fuel Poverty (187kb)
June 2008
Submission to the Scottish Government's Fuel Poverty Forum in response to the consultation on tackling poverty.
- Child Poverty evidence for Local Government and Communities Committee (62kb)
June 2008
Evidence submitted by CAS in response to the local government committee's enquiry into child poverty.
- Members Debate on Tenancy Deposit Schemes (30kb)
June 2008
Members debate on tenancy deposit schemes.
- Neighbour Problems (1025kb)
April 2008
A public information booklet about neighbour problems.
- Child Poverty in Scotland (36kb)
April 2008
A briefing for the westminster debate on child poverty in Scotland, written in response to the inquiry by the Scottish Affairs Committee
- Scottish Civil Courts Review (430kb)
April 2008
Consultation which sets out what the review considers to be the most important issues that should be examined in order to identify and assess possible options for change.
- Benefit Backdating (29kb)
March 2008
Consultation response on benefit backdating submitted for DWP impact assessment.
- Social policy statistics 2006/07 (287kb)
February 2008
Briefing sheet which gives a summary of the issues clients came to bureaux with in 2006/07.
- Waterwatch Scotland Consultation Response (210kb)
February 2008
Response which sets out the Scottish Government's proposed principles of charging for the time period 2010-2014.
- Social Policy Successes 10 (58kb)
January 2008
Social Policy Successes issue 10. From Jan 07 to Jan 08.
- Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform -2nd reading debate (27kb)
January 2008
SCoWR briefing on the Welfare Reform Bill 2nd Reading Debate.
- Gas and Electricity (117kb)
January 2008
Briefing which highlights how power companies continue to cause misery for CAB clients through inaccurate, confusing, and contradictory bills.
- Briefing on the fostering and kinship care debate (36kb)
December 2007
Briefing which focuses on kinship care and the importance of advice and information provision for kinship carers.
- Community Charge (1817kb)
December 2007
Briefing which finds that poll tax debts of up to 18 years are still being pursued in Scotland.
- Rooting out the Rogues (118kb)
December 2007
Evidence report which argues that it is time for the Government to give exploited workers somewhere to turn.
- Annual report 2006/07 (712kb)
November 2007
CAS Annual Report covering the period 2006-2007
- SACAB Membership Scheme annual report 2007 (112kb)
November 2007
Summary of the achievements of bureaux as reported in the Membership Scheme Annual report.
- In Work Better Off (467kb)
October 2007
CAS's response to the 2007 Green Paper on welfare reform.
- Social policy statistics report 2006/07 (145kb)
October 2007
Social policy statistics report 2006/2007.
- Communities Committee Inquiry on the Central Heating Programme and Warm Deal (53kb)
September 2007
Communities committee inquiry on the central heating programme and warm deal a response from CAS.
- LILA - A New Route to Bankruptcy (236kb)
August 2007
Consultation response to the regulations for a LILA access route to bankruptcy.
- Problems with Fuel Direct (29kb)
August 2007
Supplemental information from CAS for the Scottish Affairs Select Committee inquiry into Poverty in Scotland.
- Post Office Network review (420kb)
April 2007
Consultation response which outlines clients and advisers experiences relating to the PON.
- Payment Protection Insurance (125kb)
April 2007
Briefing examining payment protection insurance (PPI).
- European Policy on the Attachment of Bank Accounts (69kb)
April 2007
Consultation response to the Commission of the European Communities green paper on the attachment of bank accounts.
- Social Fund evidence for the Work and Pensions Commitee (57kb)
April 2007
Consultation response providing evidence on Scottish CAB clients' experiences accessing the social fund.
- Post Office Networks (127kb)
April 2007
Briefing looking at the Post Office networks and the potential impact of branch closures on clients
- Paying the price: clients with mental health issues (261kb)
March 2007
Briefing which focuses on CAB clients from the disability and sickness research with mental health issues.
- The CAB Service Information System (101kb)
February 2007
Briefing paper describing the information system that CAS provides to bureaux.
- CSA (128kb)
February 2007
- Competition Commission Inquiry into PPI (210kb)
February 2007
Consultation response which examines client evidence in relation to payment protection insurance (PPI).
- Briefing on switch off energy debt debate (31kb)
February 2007
Members business debate on Switch off energy debt.
- Private Rented Housing Panel regulations (52kb)
February 2007
Response to the Scottish Executive's Regulatory Impact Assessment on regulations relating to the Private Rented Housing panel.
- Social Policy Successes 09 (61kb)
December 2006
Social Policy Successes. Issue 9 July to December 2006.
- Annual report 2005/06 (919kb)
November 2006
CAS Annual Report covering the period 2005-2006
- Paying the Price (465kb)
July 2006
Briefing sheet summarising the key findings of CAS's disability and sickness research.
- Paying the Price (1191kb)
July 2006
A report looking at the experiences of CAb clients who are claiming disability living allowance or incapacity benefit.
- Out of Pocket (87kb)
July 2006
CAB evidence on the impact of fee charging cash machines.
- Prescription charges (455kb)
June 2006
Briefing sheet on prescription charges, which can act as a barrier to treatment and contribute to inequalities in health.
- Social Policy Successes 08 (60kb)
June 2006
Social Policy Successes. Issue 8 Jan to June 2006.
- Volunteer older people leaflet (91kb)
May 2006
Leaflet promoting the benefits of volunteering in the Scottish CAB Service, aimed at older people
- Bank charges (113kb)
May 2006
A briefing about bank charges which can exacerbate CAB debt clients.
- Migrant workers (116kb)
May 2006
Briefing paper on the experiences of CAB clients who are migrant workers in Scotland.
- Social policy statistics 2004/05 (68kb)
February 2006
Briefing sheet which gives a summary of the issues clients came to bureaux with in 2004/05.
- Council Tax (71kb)
January 2006
Briefing decribing the sorts of issues faced by CAB clients in relation to council tax and council tax benefit.
- How can we help you? (766kb)
November 2005
Public information leaflet on the CAB Service and how we can assist our clients.
- Annual report 2004/05 (1963kb)
November 2005
CAS Annual Report covering the period 2004-2005
- Quality standards and the Scottish CAB Service (55kb)
November 2005
Briefing sheet that outlines the Membership Scheme that all citizens advice bureaux in Scotland must comply with.
- JSA and ad-hoc workers (110kb)
June 2005
Briefing that examines eligibility for JSA amongst a specific client group: ad-hoc workers.
- Crisis Loans Applications (128kb)
June 2005
Briefing describing the problems faced by both bureau clients and advisers in trying to access crisis loans through the new system of telephone applications.
- Consumer Scams (50kb)
March 2005
Briefing sheet to raise awareness of the types of scams CAB clients bring to bureaux.
- Bank Arrestments (71kb)
January 2005
Briefing outlining the problems associated with bank arrestments, a particularly harsh from of debt recovery.
- Annual report 2003/04 (1219kb)
November 2004
CAS Annual Report covering the period 2003-2004
- Corporate Plan 2004-2007 (348kb)
November 2004
CAS Corporate Plan for period 2004-2007
- Post Office Card Accounts (56kb)
August 2004
Briefing sheet on post office card accounts.
- The 12 Principles of the Scottish CAB Service (68kb)
July 2004
- On the Cards (1091kb)
February 2004
Evidence report on the debt crisis facing bureaux clients.
- Debt - On the Cards (54kb)
January 2004
Briefing based on the CAS report On the Cards.
- Disability and Sickness Benefits (81kb)
December 2003
Briefing based on CAS's report 'Riding the Benefits rollercoaster'.
- CAB Service: Advice is good for your health (59kb)
August 2003
Briefing highlighting the work of CAB outreach services in healthcare settings.
- Tax Credit and Debt problems (54kb)
Briefing sheet on tax credit and debt problems.
- Welfare Reform letter (186kb)
Letter in response to green paper on Welfare Reform
- Kinship Care event - Improving Local Authority Practice (393kb)
A one-day information and practice sharing event for local authority officers across Scotland who are involved in developing and implementing kinship care schemes, taking place on 1st December 2010 in Edinburgh.
- Social policy statistics report 2007/08 (137kb)
Social Policy evidence report of clients issues in 2007/08.
