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Publications

  1. Alastair Wilcox
    Publication date:
    September 2019

    CAS has responded to BEIS’ Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme (HBRS) and Common Tariff Obligation (CTO) consultation. Both are subject to a statutory 3-year review and are designed, respectively, to subsidise the cost of electricity distribution in the North of Scotland to avoid disproportionately higher distribution network costs for consumers vs. those charged in the rest of GB; and to prevent domestic suppliers from offering less favourable terms to remote rural and island communities in the North of Scotland than they do to comparable consumers located elsewhere within the North of Scotland electricity distribution network operator region.

    The HBRS imposes a levy on every electricity consumer in GB. For a typical dual fuel domestic consumer, this equates to about £1 per annum. To date, however, the additional costs of electricity distribution in the Shetland islands has been fully met by consumers in the North of Scotland. It is proposed that this will change and will instead be distributed throughout GB.

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  2. Eilidh McIvor
    Publication date:
    September 2019

    Our series of briefings, 'Voices from the Frontline', demonstrates the impact of changes to the UK social security system on people in Scotland. This latest briefing considers the impact of the five-week wait for a first payment for Universal Credit. 

  3. Jamie Stewart
    Publication date:
    August 2019

    The Markets and Systems policy team at Citizens Advice Scotland puts consumers at the heart of policy and regulation in the energy, post and water sectors in Scotland. We work with governments, regulators and business to put consumers first, designing policy and practice around their needs.

    Our advocacy work is evidence led and we use a combination of independent research and evidence from the Citizens Advice Network in Scotland to speak up for consumers.  

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  4. Jamie Stewart
    Publication date:
    August 2019

    CAS welcomes the opportunity to respond to the ENAs consultation. We think that the consultation raises issues that need to be quickly addressed as the electricity flexibility market develops.

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  5. Mike Holmyard
    Publication date:
    August 2019

    CAS has responded to the Accountant in Bankruptcy's consultation on returning funds to the free sector.

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  6. Mike Holmyard
    Publication date:
    August 2019

    Citizens Advice Scotland has responded to a call for written evidence on the Debt Arrangement Scheme Regulations 2019. 

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    August 2019
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  8. A guide to common issues and how to resolve them
    Peter Kirwan and Tracey Binnie, Citizens Advice Bureau, Haddington
    Publication date:
    August 2019

    A guide to helping people to overcome barriers to digital access (updated July 2019).

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  9. Mike Holmyard
    Publication date:
    August 2019

    CAS has responded to the Financial Ombudsman Service's consultation on its future funding. 

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    August 2019
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  11. Publication date:
    August 2019
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  12. Eilidh McIvor
    Publication date:
    August 2019

    CAS is pleased to respond to the consultation on the proposed Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill. This Bill aims to protect private sector tenants by limiting rent increases and by increasing the availability of information about rent levels across Scotland.

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  13. Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry
    Rob Gowans and Eilidh McIvor
    Publication date:
    August 2019

    CAS recognises that Universal Credit (UC) may be working well for some people. However, evidence from across the Scottish Citizens Advice network suggests that a significant number of people -who are often already vulnerable and/or marginalised- are experiencing hardship and detriment as a result of having to claim UC.

  14. Christine Lang
    Publication date:
    July 2019

    Citizens Advice Scotland delivers free, independent, confidential advice and support for patients of the NHS in Scotland through the Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS). 

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  15. Christine Lang
    Publication date:
    July 2019

    Citizens Advice Scotland received 232 responses to the Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) client feedback survey between 1st April 2018 and 31st March 2019.  Client satisfaction is high with 96% of respondents stating that they were either very satisfied (86%) or satisfied (10%) with the service.

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  16. Mike Holmyard
    Publication date:
    June 2019

    CAS has responded to the Money and Pensions Service listening document.

  17. June 2019
    Emma Grant McColm
    Publication date:
    June 2019

    This is CAS's response to the Scottish Government's consultation on the Energy Efficient Scotland programme.

    Energy Efficient Scotland (EES) is an ambitious Scottish Government programme which aims to improve the energy efficiency of Scotland’s housing stock over the next 20 years in a bid to reduce carbon emissions and fuel poverty. One of the proposed strands of the programme is the regulation of minimum standards of energy efficiency in both rented and owner occupied domestic properties. This would take the form of mandatory Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standards to be achieved by respective sectors by a target date. This consultation seeks views on whether the Scottish Government should bring forward the date for all owner occupied homes to be EPC Band C or above by 2030, where technically feasible and cost effective. It also seeks views on the implementation of regulations for the private rented sector.

    The accompanying research report summarises the results of an omnibus survey that we commissioned in March 2019. The aim was to: better understand levels of awareness about EPCs; what homeowners are currently doing, if anything, to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes; what would motivate homeowners to install more energy efficiency measures; and how Scottish homeowners and renters feel about potential regulation of energy efficiency.

  18. June 2019
    Jamie Stewart
    Publication date:
    June 2019

    This is CAS's response to the Scottish Government's consultation on the future of low carbon heat for off-gas buildings.

  19. Jamie Stewart
    Publication date:
    June 2019

    This report details the energy issues advised on by the Citizens Advice network in Scotland in 2017-18.
    The data shows that of the three main strands of the network, the majority of energy-related advice
    in Scotland continues to be provided by Scottish Citizens Advice Bureaux, accounting for 92% of the advice provided
    in 2017-18.

    This reflects the complementary nature of the Citizens Advice network which in 2017-18 included:

    • Citizens Advice Bureaux which primarily provide advice on complex interrelated issues;
    • the Extra Help Unit undertakes specialist case work on behalf of vulnerable consumers, often in urgent need of assistance; and
    • the Citizens Advice Consumer Service has a statutory remit to deliver first tier advice.

    In 2017-18, a total of 41,233 energy issues were advised on across the whole Citizens Advice network in Scotland.

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  20. Publication date:
    June 2019

    CAS Financial Statements for year ended 31st March 2018.

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