Demand for help with energy bills across the Citizens Advice network overtook support with universal credit and other benefits for the first time north of the Border, the organisation has said.
Figures show that from December, universal credit was no longer the top advice area — for the first time since the organisation started monitoring monthly trends during the pandemic. In December, 15% of all advice was given in regards to regulated fuel.
The organisation, which offers support on around 300 different issues, found 10,000 pieces of advice were given on regulated fuel, way above the 200 issued for matters on average. Universal credit made up 12% of advice given in December, with 7,500 pieces of advice.
Advice on utilities and communications, the majority of which is related to energy, increased by 70% from November 2022. This is a further increase of 98% from the same time last year. In one case, a single parent of two children, one of whom is disabled, asked for advice after being unable to afford additional energy costs.
Her child needs medical equipment for her condition, but rising bills meant the family stopped using the equipment and the child had to take time off of school as a result. Citizens Advice also said that food bank-related advice was also at an all time high in December, with 2,649 pieces of advice issued across Scotland.
Citizens Advice Scotland chief executive Derek Mitchell said: “The Citizens Advice network is a wraparound service. That means when people come to a CAB we help them through all their problems, not just the one they present with. Historically, and certainly since welfare reform in the early 2010s, the single largest areas of advice demand on the CAB network has related to some form of social security payment, be that universal credit or personal independence payment.
“For energy advice to overtake that is a significant moment, and shows the scale of the energy crisis. December was bitterly cold at points. There’s a real risk people are rationing their energy and sitting in cold, dark homes.
“Meanwhile, food bank advice is an all-time high. That’s the sickening reality of this crisis, people can’t afford their essential bills and start to cut back elsewhere.
“We are seeing projections that inflation is set to fall later this year but that is no comfort to people making impossible choices between heating and eating now, and we need to seriously consider the legacy this cost-of-living crisis is going to leave on people – one of debt, poverty and destitution.
“People can seek advice from their local CAB or our online resources if they are worried about money and bills and we would really encourage them to do so.
“We’re for everyone regardless of if you are in work or not, and our advisers get real results. One in six people who sought advice from a CAB last year saw some sort of financial gain, the average value of which was over £4,200. That could be life-changing money this winter.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here .
