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Publication date:August 2019
CAS has responded to the Financial Ombudsman Service's consultation on its future funding.
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June 2019Publication 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.
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June 2019Publication 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.
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Energy Advice in Detail: Energy issues brought to the Citizens Advice network in Scotland in 2017-18
Publication date:June 2019This 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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Publication date:May 2019
CAS has responded to the Competition and Markets Authority's Funeral Market Statement of Issues consultation.
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Publication date:February 2019
Citizens Advice Scotland has responded to SEPA’s draft water supply and wastewater sector plan.
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Publication date:February 2019
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) uses research and evidence to put consumers at the heart of policy and regulation in the energy, post and water sectors in Scotland. We work with government, regulators and business to put consumers first, designing policy and practice around their needs and aspirations.
CAS is the Scottish consumer advocate on energy network issues. Although separate organisations, we work closely with Citizens Advice England and Wales in this area. Our response below focuses on Scottish specific points which we believe are important considerations for the TCR.
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Publication date:January 2019
CAS responded to the UK Parliament's Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee energy efficiency inquiry.
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Publication date:January 2019
CAS responded to the CMA's Funeral Market consultation.
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Findings from the Citizens Advice Scotland national survey on food affordability, access and availabilityPublication date:December 2018
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.
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Publication date:November 2018
Citizens Advice Scotland responded to the Scottish Government consultation on Draft Statutory Guidance on Funeral Costs.
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Publication date:October 2018
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.
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The potential for heating oil buying clubs in Highland ScotlandPublication date:October 2018
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Publication date:October 2018
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has provided feedback on the Scottish Government’s ‘Investing in and paying for your water services from 2021’ consultation.
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Publication date:September 2018
Citizen Advice Scotland responded to the Scottish Government Rural Economy and Connectivity's call for evidence - Transport (Scotland) Bill
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Publication date:September 2018
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.
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Digital access for consumers only using smartphones to access the internetPublication date:August 2018
Some people can only access the internet through their smartphone. When CAS surveyed clients, we found that this was the case for more than 1 in 10 respondents - 20% of all respondents who said they used the internet at all.
This report looks in more detail at these consumers, analysing their characteristics and assessing their digital access and skills.
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Issues brought to the Citizens Advice Network in Scotland 2016-17Publication date:August 2018
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.
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Publication date:August 2018
Mains gas is both the cheapest means to heat homes and the most common heating fuel in Scotland, England and Wales. However many people, particularly in certain areas and demographics, do not have access to, or do not make use of, mains gas for heating their home.
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Consumers and Scottish climate change policyPublication date:August 2018
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.
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Brexit: We've produced advice on what Brexit means for people living in Scotland. We'll keep updating our advice as more Brexit changes are announced.