Citizens Advice Scotland

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

Funding of £54.5 million to help tackle fuel poverty and reduce greenhouse gas emissions has been announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Speaking at the All Energy conference in Glasgow, the First Minister launched the Route Map to an Energy Efficient Scotland, which outlines action to ensure

Around 400,000 people in Great Britain have been left without gas or electricity because they didn’t have enough money to top up their prepayment meter (PPM), according to new research from Citizens Advice. The charity found that the vast majority of these households (120,000) have people living t

Citizens Advice Scotland has said British Gas customers will "find it hard to understand" a 5.5% price hike taking effect from 29 May. British Gas claims it is increasing prices because of increased wholesale costs, but the UK government has said the rise is "unjustified".

Fuel companies will no longer be able to charge bills for gas and electricity that was used more than twelve months earlier under new rules outlined by energy regulator Ofgem. Backbills can result from problems with a supplier’s billing system, or from suppliers estimating bills until they have an

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