Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) and Money Advice Scotland (MAS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that commits them to collaborate in communities across the country to ensure that everyone in Scotland has access to the best possible debt advice in person, by telephone and online.

Derek Mitchell, chief executive of Citizens Advice Scotland, said: “Every year we advise hundreds of thousands of Scots, and debt is one of the top issues on which people seek our help. CAB advisers see every day how debt can devastate families, not least because debt breeds debt, and people are often reluctant to face up to it which means it just spirals out of control.

“That’s why we need a service which is not just expert in finding solutions but is also sympathetic and encouraging in the way we deal with clients. Both CAS and MAS embody that ethos and by working together we can provide Scots with the help they need to get control of their finances.”

Yvonne MacDermid, chief executive of Money Advice Scotland, added: “We have worked collaboratively with CAS for 16 years, and this is an extension of that partnership approach. We need urgently to get more people to get to advice more quickly and by working more closely we can achieve that aim.”