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June 2019Publication date:June 2019
This is CAS's response to the Scottish Government's consultation on the Energy Efficient Scotland programme.
Energy Efficient Scotland (EES) is an ambitious Scottish Government programme which aims to improve the energy efficiency of Scotland’s housing stock over the next 20 years in a bid to reduce carbon emissions and fuel poverty. One of the proposed strands of the programme is the regulation of minimum standards of energy efficiency in both rented and owner occupied domestic properties. This would take the form of mandatory Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standards to be achieved by respective sectors by a target date. This consultation seeks views on whether the Scottish Government should bring forward the date for all owner occupied homes to be EPC Band C or above by 2030, where technically feasible and cost effective. It also seeks views on the implementation of regulations for the private rented sector.
The accompanying research report summarises the results of an omnibus survey that we commissioned in March 2019. The aim was to: better understand levels of awareness about EPCs; what homeowners are currently doing, if anything, to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes; what would motivate homeowners to install more energy efficiency measures; and how Scottish homeowners and renters feel about potential regulation of energy efficiency.
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June 2019Publication date:June 2019
This is CAS's response to the Scottish Government's consultation on the future of low carbon heat for off-gas buildings.
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Energy Advice in Detail: Energy issues brought to the Citizens Advice network in Scotland in 2017-18
Publication date:June 2019This report details the energy issues advised on by the Citizens Advice network in Scotland in 2017-18.
The data shows that of the three main strands of the network, the majority of energy-related advice
in Scotland continues to be provided by Scottish Citizens Advice Bureaux, accounting for 92% of the advice provided
in 2017-18.This reflects the complementary nature of the Citizens Advice network which in 2017-18 included:
- Citizens Advice Bureaux which primarily provide advice on complex interrelated issues;
- the Extra Help Unit undertakes specialist case work on behalf of vulnerable consumers, often in urgent need of assistance; and
- the Citizens Advice Consumer Service has a statutory remit to deliver first tier advice.
In 2017-18, a total of 41,233 energy issues were advised on across the whole Citizens Advice network in Scotland.
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Publication date:June 2019
CAS Financial Statements for year ended 31st March 2018.
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Low Pay Commission consultationPublication date:June 2019
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the consultation. In 2017-18, Scotland’s CAB network advised clients on a total of 47,254 issues related to employment. Of those, the largest proportion related to Pay and Entitlements (13,697), with Scottish CAB advising clients on 454 issues specifically related to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.
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Publication date:June 2019
Briefing prepared for all Scottish MPs ahead of a Westminster Hall debate on Universal Credit and debt.
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Publication date:June 2019Issue of 1 of the Citizens Advice network in Scotland magazine
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Scottish Government consultationPublication date:May 2019Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) supports the Scottish Government's ‘safe and secure transition’ approach, but would like to see commitments to a number of short and long-term improvements to Disability Assistance, once it replaces PIP, Attendance Allowance and DLA.
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The impact of increasing reliance on digital technologies in social protection systems.Publication date:May 2019
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Philip Alston, is preparing a thematic report to the UN General Assembly on the human rights impacts, especially on those living in poverty, of the introduction of digital technologies in the implementation of national social protection systems. CAS has responded to the call for submissions on this theme.
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Publication date:May 2019
Our series of briefings, 'Voices from the Frontline', demonstrates the impact of changes to the UK social security system on people in Scotland. This latest briefing considers the barriers to maintaining Universal Credit claims online.
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Publication date:May 2019
CAS has responded to the Competition and Markets Authority's Funeral Market Statement of Issues consultation.
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Publication date:May 2019
Citizens Advice Scotland has responded to a consultation on the use of Protected Trust Deeds (PTDs)
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CAS responds to new Commission's call for evidencePublication date:May 2019
The Scottish Government has established the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland to provide independent, informed advice on the creation of a 30-year infrastructure strategy to meet the country’s future economic growth and societal needs. To support this, the Commission issued a call for evidence.
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Publication date:April 2019
CAS welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation on local connection and intentionality. In 2017/2018, CAB advised on 9,700 issues relating to homelessness. 2,189 of these issues were related to homeless assessments, processes and procedures, including the local connection and intentionality rules.
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Publication date:April 2019
CAS welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Work and Pensions Committee's on-going inquiry into Universal Credit.
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Scottish Parliament debatePublication date:April 2019
Citizens Advice Scotland has consistently raised a substantial number of issues associated with the rollout of Universal Credit that have caused stress, detriment or hardship to CAB clients. The rising level of in-work poverty during the last five years has also been a concern for CAS.
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Publication date:April 2019
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation on making Scotland a Good Food Nation.
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Publication date:April 2019
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Social Security Advisory Committee's call for evidence on the Universal Credit Claimant Commitment.
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Scottish Government consultationPublication date:April 2019Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) welcomes the introduction of the Job Grant, which will provide much-needed support to young people who have been unemployed for six months or more as they start in a job.
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Publication date:March 2019People can be vulnerable at different stages in our lives. When we are, we are likely to need water, light and heat more than ever. In this country we are entitled to receive extra help, such as receiving additional support during a power cut. However receiving this support relies on people being registered for it.
In 2018, CAS commissioned Ipsos MORI Scotland to investigate the experiences and perspectives of Scottish consumers in vulnerable situations with regard to additional support provided by essential service providers, and how could the customer experience and process of registering across sectors for additional forms of support be improved.
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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.