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Publication date:December 2012This report presents the evaluation findings from the Energy Best Deal+ pilot project. The project was a result of the Fuel Poverty Summit in Scotland in October 2011 and coordinated by Citizens Advice Scotland and funded by Eon, EDF Energy, Npower Scottish Gas, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy. The pilot ran for eight weeks from July to September 2012 from nine Scottish citizens advice bureaux.
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Publication date:November 2012Payday loans are increasingly becoming a significant area of advice need at citizens advice bureaux, particularly amongst younger clients who are in employment. While this form of credit may meet the needs of some customers who experience difficulties accessing mainstream credit, bureaux report that many customers have experienced financial difficulties as a result of poor policies and practices in the industry.
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CAS response to the BIS consultation on the supply of goods, services and digital contentPublication date:October 2012The UK Government has consulted on their proposals to simplify consumer protection legislation. The new Consumer Bill of Rights aims to harmonise European legislation into our own consumer protection laws, as well as simplifying many disparate pieces of current UK legislation. Here, CAS gives its response to the proposals.
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Case evidence and statistics from the Scottish CAB ServicePublication date:October 2012This report provides a snapshot of the issues that are affecting consumers in Scotland, examining both national and local trends in consumer issues. This is based on data provided by the majority of citizens advice bureaux in Scotland and data from the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline. We will aim to publish Consumer Snapshot on a regular basis to provide an up-to-date overview of the issues facing consumers in Scotland.
This report covers the first two quarters of the financial year 2012/13 from April-September 2012.
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A proposal for a Regulation from the European CommissionPublication date:May 2012Citizens Advice Scotland welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation. Our response does not address every question contained in the consultation document. Rather it focuses on the aspects regarding consumer protection and whether the proposed Common European Sales Law would achieve its stated purpose with regard to consumer choice.
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Publication date:May 2012Case evidence from citizens advice bureaux show that many clients have been asked to pay premiums by letting agents. These charges can have a significant impact on the individual’s finances and can put their tenancy at risk.
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Publication date:April 2012In consulting with Citizens Advice Bureaux and analysing the case evidence from bureaux clients, it is clear that consumers in remote communities face many barriers.
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Publication date:February 2012In January 2012 CAS coordinated a national campaign event called Big Energy Week. The aim was to encourage Scottish consumers to check their energy tariffs and their entitlement to free insulation and assistance with their energy bills.
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Publication date:February 2012The key priority areas for citizens advice bureau clients primarily relate to the work of the OFT in the consumer credit and financial products markets. This response outlines the areas of work which we would like to see the OFT continue as priorities, and highlights areas of concern for further consideration by the OFT.
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Problems with delivery of online purchases to consumers in remote and rural ScotlandPublication date:December 2011This evidence report explores the experiences of consumers in rural and remote areas of Scotland, who are often refused delivery or charged more than people in urban areas when ordering goods online.
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Scams and their victimsPublication date:October 2011A report on the impact of scams on the most vulnerable in society.
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Publication date:September 2011Report showing a snapshot of Scottish citizens advice bureaux debt work in 2010/11.
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Publication date:September 2011CAS’s response to the government consultation on the simplification of the consumer landscape, including the transfer of Consumer Direct's advice-giving work to Citizens Advice Scotland and Citizens Advice (England and Wales) in April 2012.
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Publication date:September 2011CAS interim response to the BIS Empowering and Protecting Consumers consultation.
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Publication date:August 2011A short report from Citizens Advice Scotland detailing recent case evidence on debt management companies from Scottish citizens advice bureaux.
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Publication date:July 2011Response from Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland to the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission. The response supports the objective to gain straightforward private rights of redress for misleading and aggressive practices.
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Publication date:June 2011Response to OFCOM's consultation on tackling unexpectedly high bills or 'bill shock' in telecommunications . Views sought on why these occur, the impact of these bills, and preventative measures.
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Publication date:June 2011Citizens Advice Bureau evidence on the consumer problems caused or exacerbated by the recession
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Publication date:April 2011This briefing looks at problems with mobile phone, landline, and internet services including unclear terms and conditions, hidden costs, and mis-selling.
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Publication date:February 2011Joint response from Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland to the The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) consultation on the operation of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skill (BIS) Civil Sanctions Pilot.
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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.