Analysis of the advice CABs gave during the pandemic found that 30% of clients getting advice around food banks also needed advice around utilities – the majority of which is energy advice. Over 2,000 people needed advice in relation to both food banks and utilities.

The energy price cap is set to increase in April. The new level of the cap will be announced in February with a 50% increase in bills seen as likely.

Previous analysis published by CAS revealed that almost half a million people in Scotland were cutting back on food shopping because of unaffordable energy bills.

The charity has also seen increasing demand for energy advice, Data from the Citizens Advice Network in Scotland for September 2021 already shows a rise in demand for energy debt advice, with a 53% increase since February 2020.

Meanwhile pages related to energy efficiency have been the most frequently viewed of the energy-related pages on the Advice for Scotland website since July 2020.

CAS makes the warning in a submission to a consultation from the Scottish Government around ending the need for food banks. The charity outlines a range of factors that drive demand for food bank use, and identifies a range of areas where actions could be taken to reduce the need for food banks, including:

• Reducing the cost of living
• Increasing social security support and benefit take-up
• Encouraging fair work
• Improving debt solutions and debt recovery
• Making the Scottish Welfare Fund more accessible
• Integrating advice services into Cash-First Partnerships

The charity is encouraging people to get support for unaffordable bills by contacting their local CAB, checking online advice, or visiting www.moneymap.scot.

Derek Mitchell, CAS chief executive, said: “We are facing a nightmare scenario in the spring as the rising cost of living and increases in energy bills collide with flat or falling incomes.

“Around half a million people are already cutting back on food shopping to deal with unaffordable bills, and looking at the demand for advice the Citizens Advice network saw during the pandemic, we see a link between the need to use a food bank and the need for advice around utilities.

“People are holding on by their fingertips, they can’t afford a big rise in bills with no support, some sort of emergency action from the government is essential.”

He added: “While we are seeing an unprecedented crisis in the energy market driving these increases, the need for food banks predates this and is simply unacceptable. No one should have to choose between heating their homes and feeding their families.

“People who are struggling should know that we are here for them. The Citizens Advice network helped over 171,000 people during the pandemic, unlocking around £147 million in the process. For energy advice alone people who saw a gain were around £272 better off.

“Our advice is free, confidential and impartial, and you can get help from a local CAB or check our advice online. I’d encourage anyone to check our advice, you never know what money you are potentially missing out on or where you could be paying less.”