Publications

This submission was prepared by the Consumer Futures team within Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland (The Citizens Advice Service). It has statutory responsibilities to represent the interests of energy consumers in Great Britain and we welcome the opportunity to respond to this consultation. 

In our view, the Draft Determination represents a mixed outcome for consumers. While there are positive elements we continue to be concerned that the DNOs will be over-remunerated under RIIO-ED1. We ask therefore that Ofgem clarifies the assumptions that underpin the headline figures in the Draft Determination and that reporting arrangements meeting this description are implemented in time for the commencement of RIIO-ED1 in April 2015. 

We also take this opportunity to comment on some specific aspects of the Draft Determination that we have not addressed in detail in earlier submissions, including forecast savings from smart metering and grids, and losses.

CAS has responded to the Independent Review of Personal Independence Payment. 

The response, based on case evidence and a survey of advisers in bureaux across Scotland, highlights the severe impact huge delays in PIP assessments are having on claimants.

The rise in payday lending in the UK has led to a concurrent rise in the number of credit brokers who offer to search for loans for consumers for a fee. Evidence from the citizens advice service indicates that consumers can experience significant detriment and hardship caused by the (often unintentional) use of a credit broker. While brokers can offer a legitimate service, many of the industry practices, including providing misleading information, sharing personal details with other brokers, offering customer applications for the highest commission, and refusing to offer refunds, are in urgent need of change. 

CAS responds to the final independent review of the Work Capability Assessment for Employment and Support Allowance benefit.

A discussion paper by Angus Citizens Advice Bureau looking at the Department for Work and Pension's "Digital by Default" strategy.  In particular, the paper considers how this works for CAB clients in Angus, many of whom have difficulties with technology.

The report concludes that if the Government is to meet its target of moving 80% of all benefits claimants online, then it must take a multi-dimensional approach that takes into account the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalised members of our society to ensure that they are not offline and left behind.

Citizens Advice Scotland generally welcomes the approach set out within this consultation and believes it will provide SEPA with a clear policy and service delivery framework. We also believe that it could promote opportunities for SEPA to engage with communities as a Community Planning Partner to improve local outcomes.

This briefing focusses on a concerning aspect of the rise of the zero hours contract – the insecurity of working hours and income caused by workers being guaranteed no set amount of work, or even any hours at all in any given week. The human impact of the insecurity of income can be seen through the stories of CAB clients who have been forced to borrow from payday lenders and even resort to food banks because of significant variances in their pay from week to week. In this situation, budgeting can be impossible and the safety net of the benefits system inaccessible because of the unpredictable nature of their working hours.  We make a number of recommendations including a call for workers on a zero hours contract to be given a statutory ‘right to request’ a contract that guarantees hours, without fear of dismissal.

This report is one of the most detailed examinations of the impact of sanctions in Scotland so far. It provides an analysis of the current system, its impact on clients , real case evidence and the findings of a survey of Scottish CAB advisers. We also provide 16 recommendations that are needed to the current  system and why they are needed.

New research from Citizens Advice Scotland has found that many bereaved Scots are finding it hard to pay the growing costs of burying their loved ones.