Publications

In consulting with Citizens Advice Bureaux and analysing the case evidence from bureaux clients, it is clear that consumers in remote communities face many barriers. 

In 2003, the Scottish Parliament passed legislation stating that everyone who is homeless will have a right to a home by 2012. Local authorities will have a duty to house all those who are found to be homeless from January 2013 and to provide the same level of service to all homeless people. Evidence from citizens advice bureaux shows a mixed picture of progress, with some homelessness services struggling to meet the commitment alongside the effects of the recession and funding difficulties.

Submission from Citizens Advice Scotland to the Ministry of Justice consultation on charging fees for employment tribunals

In 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.

A briefing to Scottish MPs for the Westminster Hall Debate on the ESA Work Capability Assessment, 1st February 2011.

The 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.

A briefing to Scottish MPs on the seven amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill brought forward and passed by the House of Lords prior to the Westminster debate on the 1st February 2012. The briefing looks at the negative impact of the bill on the people, society and economy of Scotland, and discusses ways in which the proposed amendments would decrease these impacts.

Advice in Scotland 2010/11 is Citizens Advice Scotland’s state of the nation report on the problems that people are experiencing across the country. 

Citizens advice bureaux advised on 25,769 new legal issues in 2010/11; an increase of 7% on the previous year. Additionally, bureaux reported a significant increase in the assistance they are providing in benefit appeals, helping clients to complete over 12,000 welfare tribunal documents, and representing clients at 3,312 welfare tribunals(an annual increase of 58%). CAS welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation on the creation of a Scottish Civil Justice Council.