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Citizens Advice Service response to the consultation on the updated issues statementPublication date:March 2015
This publication provides the joint response of Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland (the 'Citizens Advice Service') to the Competition & Markets Authority's (CMA) energy market investigation consultation on their updated issues statement published on 18 February 2015.
The submission provides detailed comments on each of the theories of harm, as well as an overview of the Citizens Advice Service's views on the CMA's interim findings and the areas where we believe analysis should be further developed.
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Scottish Parliament debate - 'An End to In-Work Poverty'Publication date:March 2015
The most recent figures from the Scottish Government show that in-work poverty is rising. The majority of working age adults in poverty (52%) are now from working households and it is not the case that work by itself is a route out of poverty. Citizens advice bureaux in Scotland are reporting a growing number of cases where clients are in work, but are struggling to pay for essentials. Citizens Advice Scotland’s ongoing ‘Working at the Edge’ series of publications examines the growing problems caused by in-work poverty through the stories of the thousands of clients advised by citizens advice bureaux in Scotland, and makes recommendations for change.
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Publication date:March 2015Our series of briefings ‘Voices from the Frontline’ show the reality of the impact of current welfare changes on the people of Scotland. We highlight the experiences of the thousands of clients advised by CAB in Scotland and make recommendations for change.
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Implementing the Smith Agreement: Civil protections and advicePublication date:March 2015Spotlight:
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Implementing the Smith Agreement: Welfare benefitsPublication date:March 2015Spotlight:
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The Confidence Code is a voluntary code of practice for domestic energy price comparison sitesPublication date:February 2015The Citizens Advice Service welcomes the opportunity to respond to the consultation on Ofgem’s proposed drafting for the Confidence Code to reflect January 2015 policy changes.
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Consultation responsePublication date:February 2015As the statutory representative for consumers of postal services across Scotland, England and Wales, the Citizens Advice Service are pleased to respond to offer comments on the postal elements of Ofcom’s Draft Annual Plan 2015/16.
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Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Scotland and Consumer Council for Northern Ireland consultation responsePublication date:February 2015As the statutory representative for consumers of postal services across Scotland, England, and Wales the Citizens Advice Service and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland are pleased to respond to Ofcom’s consultation on Royal Mail Access Pricing and its specific aims to amend the regulatory framework relating to the Universal Service Provider Access (USPA) Condition.
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Consultation responsePublication date:February 2015As the statutory representative for consumers of postal services across Scotland, England and Wales, The Citizens Advice Service responds to Royal Mail’s consultation document on the introduction of New International Large Letters format.
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Publication date:February 2015
CAS welcomes new the Draft Provision of Water and Sewerage Services (Reasonable Cost) (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and would welcome clarity from the Scottish Government on whether any review of Council Tax / local taxation may impact the Regulations with regard to council tax banding.
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Protecting Scotland’s Workers from Unfair TreatmentPublication date:February 2015Spotlight: -
Publication date:January 2015
This is the second Priorities Report by the Consumer Protection Partnership (CPP), of which CAS is a member, following the publication of the first Priorities Report in November 2013.
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Publication date:January 2015
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) is seeking tenders from all interested parties to undertake research into consumers’ experience of water and sewerage debt.
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Publication date:January 2015
Citizens Advice Scotland welcomes new measures that will improve and protect water sources within catchment areas, and will mitigate the need for Scottish Water to treat contaminated water to the cost of the paying customer.
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A consultation on draft RegulationsPublication date:January 2015
CAS has responded to the consultation on the draft regulations for Universal Credit data sharing. In order to provide a representative response on behalf of the Citizens Advice Service, we consulted bureaux in Scotland on the proposals and received responses from 32 citizens advice bureaux. This response represents a summary of the responses received.
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Advice trends from the second quarter 2014/15Publication date:January 2015Snapshot uses bureau evidence to act as an early warning system of where policies and practices are failing or inefficient. These quarterly briefings use very recent evidence and will be an excellent way of spotting trends in social policy and tracing the impact of recent policy changes. The briefings will be of use to politicians, government departments, the private sector, and third sector organisations – and anyone with an interest in the most important issues facing people in Scotland.
This edition covers advice trends in Scotland during the second quarter of the 2014/15 financial year.
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Publication date:December 2014
CAS has responded to the Work and Pensions Committee’s inquiry into benefit sanctions policy beyond the Oakley Review. We believe that the Review was too narrow in its remit and this inquiry represents a vital opportunity to take a wider look at the sanctions regime, its purpose and impact on claimants.
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Publication date:December 2014
In 2013/14 the Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) supported 2336 clients and dealt with 7424 enquiries from clients relating to feedback, comments, concerns and complaints about the NHS in Scotland. These were increases of 16% and 27% on the 2012/13 figures. A range of work was undertaking in the year with a service review, the employment of a PASS Marketing Officer and the introduction of a PASS website. Independent client feedback found that 93% of clients were very satisfied or satisfied with the service. The Annual Report and Appendix present a brief picture of the work that has been done in 2013/14.
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Publication date:December 2014
In 2013/14 CAS again rose to the unique challenges we face every year; namely those of facilitating the delivery of the best free advice service in Scotland, while at the same time using the evidence gained by Scottish CAB network to exercise a positive influence on public policy in Scotland.
This we have done against the background of a continuing economic crisis and national changes in welfare and consumer policy that meant our service faces greater demand than ever before. Our annual report presents a brief picture of the work we have done in 2013/14.
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.