Publications

CAS has responded to BEIS’ Hydro Benefit Replacement Scheme (HBRS) and Common Tariff Obligation (CTO) consultation. Both are subject to a statutory 3-year review and are designed, respectively, to subsidise the cost of electricity distribution in the North of Scotland to avoid disproportionately higher distribution network costs for consumers vs. those charged in the rest of GB; and to prevent domestic suppliers from offering less favourable terms to remote rural and island communities in the North of Scotland than they do to comparable consumers located elsewhere within the North of Scotland electricity distribution network operator region.

The HBRS imposes a levy on every electricity consumer in GB. For a typical dual fuel domestic consumer, this equates to about £1 per annum. To date, however, the additional costs of electricity distribution in the Shetland islands has been fully met by consumers in the North of Scotland. It is proposed that this will change and will instead be distributed throughout GB.

This is CAS’s response to the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) Regulations 2019. We welcome mandatory standards of energy efficiency in the private rented sector, provided that:

The Markets and Systems policy team at Citizens Advice Scotland puts consumers at the heart of policy and regulation in the energy, post and water sectors in Scotland. We work with governments, regulators and business to put consumers first, designing policy and practice around their needs.

Our advocacy work is evidence led and we use a combination of independent research and evidence from the Citizens Advice Network in Scotland to speak up for consumers.  

CAS has responded to the Accountant in Bankruptcy's consultation on returning funds to the free sector.

CAS has responded to the Financial Ombudsman Service's consultation on its future funding. 

CAS is pleased to respond to the consultation on the proposed Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill. This Bill aims to protect private sector tenants by limiting rent increases and by increasing the availability of information about rent levels across Scotland.

CAS recognises that Universal Credit (UC) may be working well for some people. However, evidence from across the Scottish Citizens Advice network suggests that a significant number of people -who are often already vulnerable and/or marginalised- are experiencing hardship and detriment as a result of having to claim UC.

Citizens Advice Scotland received 232 responses to the Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) client feedback survey between 1st April 2018 and 31st March 2019.  Client satisfaction is high with 96% of respondents stating that they were either very satisfied (86%) or satisfied (10%) with the service.