-
Briefing for MSPs - Scottish Parliament debate 2 June 2016Publication date:June 2016
This briefing focuses on the opportunities that the devolution of social security powers offers to Scotland – it is the chance to design a system that has the principles of dignity and respect at its heart. The following pages outline the challenges and issues that the parliament needs to address to make this system a reality.
Spotlight: -
Publication date:May 2016
A third of CAB clients find themselves digitally excluded, according to new research.
Spotlight: -
UK Parliament Work and Pensions CommitteePublication date:May 2016
Citizens Advice Scotland is extremely concerned about the potential negative impact of the abolition of the ESA Work Related Activity component. The removal of support for the additional costs faced by disabled people through this component could have the effect of creating additional barriers to them gaining employment. The majority of people affected by the move are far from the labour market, with 73% of Scottish claimants in the ESA Work Related Activity Group having been in receipt of the benefit for more than two years, and in some cases will never be fit for work again.
Spotlight: -
CAB Client Profile Report: Issue 3Publication date:April 2016
In this edition of the ‘Who Are You?’ series we take a look at those who came to CAB service points during November 2015. Information was collected on almost 17,000 clients, which is an increase in reporting of 6% from our first client profile data collection in 2014. In learning from the pilot phase of this work, a more accurate measure of comparison between the client profile and all clients seen in November has been developed. This indicates that the profile captures approximately 74% of all clients seen in November 2015, an increase of 6% from the proportion seen in 2014.
As with all surveys of this type not all clients wished to answer all questions; it is also not always appropriate to ask for such information. Because of this it is not possible to report on every category, but our analysis shows that comparison with the client profile data from 2014/15 is consistent and the data collected is robust enough to compare with the 2011 Census.
-
CAB Client Profile Report: Issue 2Publication date:April 2016
Using data from the 2014 Client Profile survey, this second publication in the 'Who Are You? series looks at initial findings from an analysis of CAB clients by the type of advice provided to them.
-
Publication date:April 2016
The Consumer Futures Unit of Citizens Advice Scotland and Citizens Advice (England and Wales) have responsibilities to represent energy consumers in Great Britain in accordance with the 2007 Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act.
This paper is their joint response to the provisional decision on remedies in the Competition and Market Authority (CMA)’s energy market investigation.
Spotlight: -
An analysis of employment advice provided by Scotland’s CAB networkPublication date:April 2016
The Citizens Advice Service is the most common external source of advice for employees who experience problems at work. In Scotland last year, clients brought over 50,625 new employment issues to their local CAB.
Spotlight: -
A Guide to Deemed ContractsPublication date:April 2016
The Consumer Futures Unit and the Water Industry Commission for Scotland have developed and published a leaflet aimed at small businesses who may be unaware they need to pay for water and sewerage services, and are allocated a supplier. The leaflet explains what a Deemed Contract is and what they need to do next.
Spotlight: -
The Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland work plan for 2016/17Publication date:March 2016
Following our earlier consultation, we are pleased to launch our Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland work plan for 2016/17, covering our work in energy, post and water.
Spotlight: -
CAS responsePublication date:March 2016
CAS has responded to the Social Security Advisory Committee's consultation on Decision Making and Mandatory Reconsideration.
Spotlight: -
Consumer issues with subscription trapsPublication date:March 2016
Online shopping in the UK is on the rise and with this comes a different set of consumer problems. One such problem is subscription traps. These are situations where a consumer is tricked into agreeing to a subscription through the advertising of a “free trial” or reduced price offer. If the consumer doesn’t cancel the trial within a set amount of time they automatically get transferred onto a costly subscription payment plan.
Spotlight: -
Social Security Advisory Committee consultationPublication date:February 2016
Citizens Advice Scotland responded to a consultation on the UK Government's proposed changes to the length of time a person can be absent from Great Britain without losing entitlement to Housing Benefit and Pension Credit.
Spotlight: -
Publication date:February 2016
Citizens Advice Scotland respond to DECCs review of the Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme and Common Tariff Obligation
-
Commons consideration of Lords amendmentsPublication date:February 2016
Citizens Advice Scotland is extremely concerned regarding the proposals to reduce the value of the Work Related Activity (WRAG) component of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The principle underlying the WRAG is to take people who, while unable to work at present, could do so in the future, and provide them with financial support, advice and training to return to the workforce. The changes proposed in the Bill run counter to this principle and risk serious detriment to the often vulnerable claimants in this group.
Spotlight: -
A review for Scottish GovernmentPublication date:February 2016
This report gives wide reaching recommendations on how to tackle funeral poverty in Scotland.
Spotlight: -
Publication date:February 2016
CAS has recently responded to a consultation by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) on aids and appliances and the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Spotlight: -
MCCP 190, 191, 193Publication date:January 2016
CAS response on notification of the latest change proposals to the Market and Operational Code:
MCCP190 - Performance Standard Amendments
MCCP191 – Vacancy Definition
MCCP193 - Change to the Gap Site Letter Process
Spotlight: -
Second ReadingPublication date:January 2016
The Benefit Sanctions Regime (Entitlement to Hardship Payments) Bill is a Private Members' Bill introduced by Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh MP. It would ensure that hardship payments are available to claimants who have had their benefit sanctioned from day one of a sanction period, and that such payments would be made automatically.
Spotlight: -
Response to UK Parliament Work and Pensions Committee InquiryPublication date:January 2016
In-work progression support provided should be appropriate to an individual claimant’s circumstances. Support should aim to help claimants find a job that is better suited to their skills, experience, ambitions and individual requirements. It should not merely consist of setting targets to apply for a particular number of jobs each week, without regard to suitability or quality. If mandatory requirements are set, caution should be taken that they are reasonable and appropriate.
Spotlight: -
Ensuring the water and sewerage non-household retail market works well for customersPublication date:December 2015
CAS supports the Commission’s view that the time is right to undertake a review of the regulatory framework of the non-domestic water and sewerage market in Scotland.
Spotlight:
Stressed About Debt? High costs of energy, food and fuel mean that many people are finding it impossible to keep up, worrying about debt or falling behind on bills. The Citizens Advice network in Scotland is here for you, with free, confidential and impartial advice in a variety of ways.