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Publication date:June 2024
Citizens Advice Scotland has responded to Ofgem's Call for Input on affordability and debt. The key points are:
- CAS supports a write-off of energy debt and the implementation of a social tariff
- Our data shows the scale and harm of energy debt is getting worse.
- The average energy debt clients present to the CAB network is around £2300. For clients in rural areas, it is around £3000.
- CAS recommends that Ofgem looks at how other regulators help customers in debt.
You can download and read the full response below.
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Issue 14 of the Citizens Advice Scotland network magazinePublication date:May 2024Welcome to the Spring 2024 edition of Voice Magazine.
In this issue:
- dealing with debt, bureaux are getting creative to deal with an increase in debt enquiries
- our volunteer support team and plans for Volunteers' Week
- Dalkeith CAB has set up a support group for local men
- sustainability - how can CABs make a difference?
- could your bureau achieve Investing in Volunteers accreditation?
- Laura Plumb is rowing for the network - raise funds for your bureau by getting on board
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Publication date:May 2024
An evaluation of the "Stressed About Debt?" campaign, which ran from February 2024 until the start of April 2024.
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CAS responds to the Social Justice Social Security Committee's Call for EvidencePublication date:May 2024
CAS welcomes this opportunity to input our unique overview of the impact of the Scottish Social Security landscape to inform the Social Justice Social Security Committee’s inquiry into the efficacy of Scottish Child Payment in reducing Child Poverty.
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Publication date:April 2024
An evaluation of the Worried This Winter? energy support campaign, which ran from November 2023 until the end of January 2024.
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Piloting short-term crisis support alongside holistic advicePublication date:March 2024
The Food Insecurity Pilot was delivered from 1st June 2023 to 30th November 2023. The pilot was delivered across 9 areas and 11 Citizens Advice Bureaux.
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Publication date:March 2024
CAS responded to the above consultation by the Ministry of Justice.
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Publication date:March 2024
Citizens Advice Scotland has responded to the Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings consultation.
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Publication date:March 2024
CAS has responded to the Independent Review of Community Learning and Development, commissioned by the Scottish Government.
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CAS briefing for Stage 1 debatePublication date:February 2024
The Scottish Parliament will consider the general principles of the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill on 22 February 2024. This is an important Bill which seeks to reform the regulation of legal services in Scotland to promote “competition, innovation and the public and consumer interest” in the Scottish legal sector. This briefing outlines the views of Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) on the implications of the Bill for consumers of legal services and reflects on recommendations in the stage 1 report.
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A CAS consultation responsePublication date:February 2024Spotlight:
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Issue 13 of the Citizens Advice Scotland network magazinePublication date:February 2024Welcome to the Winter 2024 edition of Voice Magazine.
In this issue:
- campaigning CABS; local approaches to national campaigns
- East Renfrewshire CAB's Older People's Project explained
- we meet David Hilferty, who took on the role of Director of Impact last summer
- we also meet CAS's new Strategic Lead for Social Justice, Emma Jackson
- debt and mental health issues often go hand in hand, will legislative change offer sufficient protections to vulnerable people?
- Data from the network show the worrying impact on health of the poor state of some rental properties.
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CAS response to consultation on permanency of certain criminal justice measuresPublication date:February 2024
CAS has responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on making certain criminal justice measures in the CRR Act 2022 permanent and on modernising criminal justice procedures through digital processes.
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The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 Amendment BillPublication date:January 2024
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) welcomes this opportunity to provide our overview of the impact of the Scottish Social Security landscape to inform scrutiny of this Bill proposing to amend the law governing the administration of social security in Scotland. As the amendments largely reflect our views expressed in the consultation process, including our recommendations, we have limited our response to those aspects of the Bill that are of the most direct concern to the Citizens Advice network in Scotland. We have expressed views where we believe there is scope for further amendments, or significant wrap around work needed to achieve the policy intent.
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Stressed About Debt? High costs of energy, food and fuel mean that many people are finding it impossible to keep up, worrying about debt or falling behind on bills. The Citizens Advice network in Scotland is here for you, with free, confidential and impartial advice in a variety of ways.