Our Money Advice Matters campaign will run at a national level from 31 May - 11 June 2021. We would encourage as many bureaux as possible to support this campaign during this period. However, as with our previous campaigns in 2020, you also have the flexibility to campaign on this issue at a time that suits you, which could be later in the year.
Advice on struggling with bills, arrears and debt issues are subjects people routinely seek help with from their local CAB. The series of economic uncertainties and redundancies brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has made reduced incomes and struggling to meet the costs of living more prevalent than ever. We want people to know the Citizens Advice network in Scotland is here to help with their money worries. Our advisers will talk through options, check for ways to increase income and help make a plan.
Background
Research undertaken in Citizens Advice Scotland: Client Satisfaction Research (2020) shows some very clear statistics indicating the benefits of seeking help early from CAB: 40% of clients who sought advice from CAB between April –September 2020 said they should have contacted the service sooner.
The same research showed 51% of clients who sought debt advice were more likely to say they should have contacted CAB sooner than those who sought advice in other areas. One case study from this research spoke about his experience going to his local bureau:
“Completely relevant to my issues. I had my head in the sand before, but he laid it all out for me and I have most of my debts settled now, some written off and some I have been paying in small amounts.”
Our aims
- To raise awareness of the importance of seeking money advice by contacting your local Citizens Advice Bureau
- Raise awareness of positive steps CAB advisers can provide and direct towards www.cas.org.uk to find a local bureau
- Direct towards additional online support, for example our public advice site and the Money Map tool for support at an early stage
- Work with partner organisations to help increase awareness and promotion of the campaign
Join the campaign
As part of this campaign, we will be working with our network to help raise awareness of the support available to people worried about bills, arrears or debt piling up through their local bureau. Campaign resources will be available in the weeks ahead of the campaign live dates.
Where to send people for support - options for CABs
- For those already in financial difficulty, direct to their local CAB to get support and work out next steps
- There is also advice on debt, budgeting and mortgage problems on our advice site
- Our Money Map tool is another useful online resource to help people make the most of their money, reduce their bills and meet the costs of daily living
Contact
If you have any questions on the campaign, please contact Barbara Adams, Senior Officer (Campaigns): Barbara.adams@cas.org.uk.