Publications

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.

Citizens Advice Scotland has responded to SEPA’s draft water supply and wastewater sector plan.

CAS responded to the UK Parliament's Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee energy efficiency inquiry.

The Citizens Advice Network sought to better understand the day-to-day realities that people in Scotland face when bringing food to the table. In order to achieve this, a survey was launched via both Citizens Advice Bureaux and media platforms (social and traditional). Ultimately, over 2,650 people living in Scotland took the time to complete the survey.

Services that are essential for life, such as water and sewerage, should be affordable for all consumers.  CAS' latest research report takes a closer look at characteristics that may indicate whether or not a household will struggle to pay for water and sewerage charges. It also provides an analysis of various proxies that could be used to determine affordability, and at how additional financial support could be targeted towards households that need it most.

The report found that:

• Income is the most accurate indicator of whether or not a household is likely to find water and sewerage charges affordable.
• 12% of households in Scotland spend more than 3% of their weekly income on their water and sewerage charges although not all receive additional financial support through available affordability mechanisms.
• The current proxy used to provide financial relief, based on households being in receipt of Council Tax Reduction, is the most effective one that exists however, difficulties around more closely linking systems and data sets means that some households in need of additional support do not receive it. 
• In the longer term, further research is necessary to identify how support could be more effectively targeted to all households that may struggle to pay.

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has provided feedback on the Scottish Government’s ‘Investing in and paying for your water services from 2021’ consultation.

Citizens Advice Scotland responded to the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Fair Work committee's call for views on the Scottish Government's proposed Publicly Owned Energy Company.

The Energy Advice in Detail report provides an annual assessment of the energy issues clients of the Citizens Advice network in Scotland sought assistance with, and places those within a wider policy context.

The report is based on research carried out by Changeworks and Hilliam Research on behalf of CAS. CAS commissioned the research understand the implications for consumers of energy and climate change policy in Scotland, and provides analysis of the Scottish Government’s new Climate Change Plan and Energy Strategy. In particular, we sought to understand the type of behaviour changes that could be expected of consumers as a result of these policies, and the steps being taken by the Scottish Government and others to facilitate these changes.