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The Citizens Advice Network sought to better understand the day-to-day realities that people in Scotland face when bringing food to the table. In order to achieve this, a survey was launched via both Citizens Advice Bureaux and media platforms (social and traditional). Ultimately, over 2,650 people living in Scotland took the time to complete the survey.

CAS Financial Statements for year ended 31st March 2017.

The Green Deal was a UK Government scheme which enabled consumers to borrow money to pay for energy saving home improvements. Citizens Advice Scotland is raising concerns over the practices of one Green Deal supplier – Home Energy and Lifestyle Management Systems (HELMS). 

Citizens Advice Scotland responded to the Scottish Government consultation on Draft Statutory Guidance on Funeral Costs.

Citizens Advice Scotland, Money Advice Scotland and StepChange believe that the prescriptive period for Council Tax arrears and reserved social security benefits and tax credit debt should be reduced from 20 years to five years. We support amendments which would remove the exemptions in the Bill for these debts.

Based on CAB evidence, CAS highlighted three main areas of concern to MSPs ahead of the debate - Halt and Fix Universal Credit, rent arrears and social security, and the overall impact of the welfare reform programme since 2010.

Whilst the Scottish social security system should make provision for the investigation of fraud, it is important that a clear distinction is drawn between intentional fraud and unintentional error, such as not reporting a change of circumstances unknowingly.

Citizens Advice Scotland responded to the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Fair Work committee's call for views on the Scottish Government's proposed Publicly Owned Energy Company.

Advice in relation to rent arrears has grown by over 40% since 2012, whilst debt-related issues have declined. This report examines the reasons why this steady increase in rent arrears has occurred, as well as who is most likely to be affected. It also looks at how CAB clients cope with being behind on the rent, and how they have managed to escape rent arrears – if they have indeed managed to do so.