Citizens Advice Scotland

Almost a fifth of people who seek advice from Scottish CABs say they never use the internet, with more than half unable to apply for jobs or benefits online without help, according to new research published by Citizens Advice Scotland. The data is a concern because many social security and justice s

Failing to switch energy supplier may have cost 860,000 Scottish households more than £1,500 each over the past six years – the equivalent of more than half a year of the UK’s average weekly shopping trips, according to new statistics. Figures from Ofgem, published for Big Energy Saving Week, h

The Scottish Government hosted an energy summit yesterday to challenge the ‘big six’ energy suppliers to do more to help people who are struggling to pay their energy bills. The summit, which was attended by energy suppliers alongside Ofgem and consumer groups, discussed measures to help custome

The Scottish Government has published the country’s first Energy Strategy which it said will strengthen the development of local energy, empower and protect consumers, and support climate change efforts while tackling fuel poverty. The strategy includes a range of actions, including a £20 million

Legislation to set up a Scottish social security agency passed its first hurdle at the Scottish Parliament yesterday as MSPs unanimously agreed the general principles of the Social Security (Scotland) Bill. During the debate, cross party consensus was given for an additional principle in the Bill re

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is launching a “comprehensive study” into domestic heat networks to ensure households are getting a good deal. Heat networks - systems that heat multiple homes from one central source – currently supply about half a million UK homes through about 17,

The UK government has announced significant changes to Universal Credit including scrapping the seven day waiting period before a person can apply. In the Autumn Budget announcement yesterday Chancellor Philip Hammond responded to the increasing pressure from MPs, charities and the housing sector by

Energy regulator Ofgem is to cap the amount suppliers can charge customers for installing a pre-payment meters in customers’ homes and ban the costs altogether for the most vulnerable. Prepayment meters are typically installed under warrant when a customer cannot or will not pay their energy bill.

Sarah Boyack The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has welcomed moves to enshrine the Scottish Government’s proposed new fuel poverty target in legislation but said that more investment is required to make the ambition a reality.

Craig Anderson with the Plain English guide Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau has today published its new Plain English Guide to Help Sort out Benefits to help people overcome the system’s complexities.

Scots who make their homes more energy efficient should get a Council Tax rebate, according to a new report. Research from the Consumer Futures Unit of Citizens Advice Scotland showed a £500 rebate the year following the installation of energy efficiency measures was significantly more popular than

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to set up a state-owned not-for-profit energy company in Scotland to offer cheaper power to homeowners. The SNP leader told the party's conference yesterday that the company will sell energy to customers at "as close to cost price as possible".

Prime Minister Theresa May has renewed a commitment to introduce a cap on energy prices for customers on standard variable tariffs. During her eventful speech to the Tory Party Conference yesterday, Ms May once again pledged to limit the amount people pay for their energy through legislation althoug

(from left) Ann McDermott, Norman Shanks, Jeane Freeman MSP, Hannah Beaton and Sarah Erskine A new campaign aimed at ensuring older people receive the financial support they are entitled to has been launched by the Scottish Government and Citizens Advice Scotland.

The Scottish Government has pledged to establish an expert group together with a £50 million fund with the aim of eradicating homelessness for good. Announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as she delivered her Programme for Government for 2017/18 to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, the ‘En