Data published today by the charity shows that almost half (47%) of people who visited their local CAB with more than one debt last year were living with no disposable income.

Of the other 53%, who do have disposable income, 38% had a monthly disposable income of less than £100, 55% had less than £200. One client only had 10p per month.

The data – taken from the financial year 2023-24 - reveals that 71% of the people who didn’t have disposable income had a negative budget of more than £100 while a fifth (21%) had a negative budget of more than £500.

Citizens Advice Scotland is calling for a Minimum Income Guarantee with a guaranteed level of income beneath which no individual living in Scotland would fall, set at a level that ensures an acceptable standard of living.

The charity would also like to see social security payment increases from both the UK and Scottish governments and an end to the 5-week wait for Universal Credit.

Social tariffs similar to those that exist for broadband could also be applied to energy and insurance to help those who have less meet their essential living costs, it added.

CAS senior policy officer for Financial Health Jemiel Benison said: “So many people across Scotland are living in misery because of a lack of income and rising debt. One person who sought help from his CAB had just 10p disposable income to last a month. How can people be expected to live a dignified life if they don’t have enough money for a pint of milk?

“Another man, Kevin, approached his local CAB for help with a modest sum of debts caused by a relationship breakdown. After an assessment of his financial position, it was found that he had a devastating negative budget of more than £400 per month.

“Across our network, our advisers see people like Kevin every day who are experiencing debt that causes a severe impact on their physical and mental health. They have a constant knot of worry and anxiety in their stomach, every second of every minute of every hour of every day.

“Our advisers do everything they can to help people in this situation through debt advice and income maximisation, but what is really needed is structural reform. We know people are spending nights awake, worried about paying for bills, or feeding their children. Urgent action is needed if we’re to help people out of debt and to stay out.”