Citizens Advice Scotland

A charity is calling for action after many households in Scotland were left with huge debts after signing up to a government-backed energy scheme only to be scammed by a rogue company. Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) is today calling for the UK Government to help customers who have been let down by H

Scottish communities minister Aileen Campbell MSP launching the service in Dumfries CAB At least 15,000 households each year are expected to benefit from the new Financial Health Check service which has been launched by Citizens Advice Scotland.

Demand for advice regarding rent arrears in Scotland has increased by 47% over the last five years, new evidence has revealed. A report published today by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), which considers the causes and consequences of this rise, finds that changes to the social security system have b

A new report has highlighted the use of expensive electric heating among low income households and the difficulty many have accessing support to switch to cheaper fuel sources. Research by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) found that as many as 11% of Scottish households are using electric heating, whi

New research by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has revealed the challenges faced by those Scots who use oil to heat their homes. A quarter of households in the Highlands and Islands use oil heating, while the figure for Scotland as a whole is 6%.

Assessments for disability support will be carried out by Social Security Scotland, fully supported by public sector healthcare professionals, the Scottish Government has announced. The move, which ensures there is no private sector involvement in the process, is also set to provide people with grea

Energy provider Scottish Power is to increase dual fuel energy prices for those on its standard variable tariff by 3.7%. This is Scottish Power's second price rise this year, with dual fuel prices rising by 5.5% on 1 June. It follows Ofgem's decision to increase the level of their Safeguard tariff.

The Scottish Government needs to set out a ‘route map’ of how it intends to persuade Scots to change their consumer behaviour if it wants to meet its targets on climate change, according to Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS). While lending its support to the government’s targets, which include a p

Millions of British homes are one step closer to cheaper energy bills as legislation to cap poor value energy tariffs completed its passage through parliament this week. Energy regulator Ofgem is now required to cap standard variable tariffs offered by the ‘big six’ energy providers for househol

Scotland’s construction industry is being held back by poor broadband and high postal delivery charges, according to new research. A total of 44% of businesses in the sector have told Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) that broadband in their area is variable or poor. The statistic is in contrast with

A new bill which will set targets to reduce fuel poverty in Scotland is “too narrowly focused” and will fail to address the “scandal” of cold, damp homes, according to campaigners. While welcoming the introduction of the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Strategy and Definition) (Scotland) Bill to the

The findings of new research into fuel poverty in Scotland, looking specifically at which households are most affected and what kind of support they need, has been published today by Citizens Advice Scotland. The research has found that certain types of household are more likely to struggle to heat

A rise in gas and electricity prices from energy firm SSE will hit consumers yet again and more warning should be given in the future, according to Citizens Advice Scotland. SSE became the last of the "big six" energy companies to announce early summer price rises, with a 6.7% average increase in ga

The Scottish Government is in danger of failing to deliver a real Warm Homes Bill for Scotland, a group of 50 civil society and business organisations has warned. In a joint statement issued today the group calls on ministers and MSPs to create a law that will end fuel poverty, create new jobs and i

Greater protection for customers could be on the way after an interim report from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) suggested that consumers in the district heating market are not getting value for money. The CMA study – which began in December – set out to establish whether heat netwo