Publications

As the statutory representative for consumers of postal services across Scotland, England and Wales, the Citizens Advice Service are pleased to respond to offer comments on the postal elements of Ofcom’s Draft Annual Plan 2015/16.

As the statutory representative for consumers of postal services across Scotland, England and Wales, The Citizens Advice Service responds to Royal Mail’s consultation document on the introduction of New International Large Letters format.

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) is seeking tenders from all interested parties to undertake research into consumers’ experience of water and sewerage debt.

CAS has responded to the consultation on the draft regulations for Universal Credit data sharing. In order to provide a representative response on behalf of the Citizens Advice Service, we consulted bureaux in Scotland on the proposals and received responses from 32 citizens advice bureaux. This response represents a summary of the responses received. 

Snapshot uses bureau evidence to act as an early warning system of where policies and practices are failing or inefficient. These quarterly briefings use very recent evidence and will be an excellent way of spotting trends in social policy and tracing the impact of recent policy changes. The briefings will be of use to politicians, government departments, the private sector, and third sector organisations – and anyone with an interest in the most important issues facing people in Scotland. 

This edition covers advice trends in Scotland during the second quarter of the 2014/15 financial year.

In 2013/14 the Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) supported 2336 clients and dealt with 7424 enquiries from clients relating to feedback, comments, concerns and complaints about the NHS in Scotland.  These were increases of 16% and 27% on the 2012/13 figures.  A range of work was undertaking in the year with a service review, the employment of a PASS Marketing Officer and the introduction of a PASS website.  Independent client feedback found that 93% of clients were very satisfied or satisfied with the service.  The Annual Report and Appendix present a brief picture of the work that has been done in 2013/14.

In 2013/14 CAS again rose to the unique challenges we face every year; namely those of facilitating the delivery of the best free advice service in Scotland, while at the same time using the evidence gained by Scottish CAB network to exercise a positive influence on public policy in Scotland.

This we have done against the background of a continuing economic crisis and national changes in welfare and consumer policy that meant our service faces greater demand than ever before. Our annual report presents a brief picture of the work we have done in 2013/14.