We're encouraged by the new Prime Minister's early focus on cost of living, but we're keen to see how it's going to be accelerated. Read David Hilferty's article in the Herald and Third Force News 👇

Message to the new PM: good early pace – now make it count - TFN

David Hilferty: Andy Burnham must use the resources that already exist

tfn.scot

Citizens Advice Bureaux are strengthened every day by the work of volunteers and staff from diverse backgrounds. Read this week's column in The Herald and Third Force News by our senior policy officer Hyo. 👇 tfn.scot/opinion/the-...

The invisible moments that hold our communities together - TFN

tfn.scot

While the VAT cut is a welcome step, it must be the beginning, not the end, of meaningful action. We need support for all energy users, not just those who rely on electricity. 👇

Across Scotland, CAB advisers are increasingly supporting people who see energy as an unaffordable expense. The progress so far is encouraging, but it needs to be followed by action on a much larger scale. People need real relief from what continues to feel like an endless cost-of-living crisis. 👇

We welcome the proposed removal of VAT from electricity bills as a positive first step, but long-term action such as an affordable social tariff and faster energy debt support is also needed. Read our full response here 👇 www.cas.org.uk/news-and-eve...

This week's Herald column by Kyle Scott, policy manager, underlines the importance of a legal aid system that is accessible, effective and responsive to people's needs. 👉 tfn.scot/opinion/lega...

Legal Aid in Scotland must work in reality, not just in theory - TFN

Kyle Scott on the need for meaningful reform

tfn.scot

Read our senior social justice policy officer, Erica's Herald article on joining the dots between support providers builds confidence, tackles barriers and helps young people thrive. 👉 tfn.scot/opinion/rebu...

Rebuilding the village - how to help young NEET people in Scotland    - TFN

Erica Young on joining the dots between support providers

tfn.scot

New 🔦SPOTLIGHT 🔦Report by @citizensadvice.bsky.social finds UC can create barriers to victim-survivors of domestic abuse to financial independence and freedom. Based on frontline insights, the report highlights 6 common challenges faced by claimants. www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...

🚨The FCA has just announced it has conducted a secret analysis, using evidence supplied CAS. 💷Being without a bank account is the ultimate form of financial exclusion. We’ve been working to raise awareness of the barriers banks create for so many people and why more needs to be done. 🧵(1/2)

The demand for advice on the private rented sector has gone up by 22% from this time last year. Read our Aoife's Herald article to understand why this is happening and what must be done to create a strong housing strategy. 👉 tfn.scot/opinion/mapp...

Mapping a fairer future for Scotland’s private rented housing sector  - TFN

Aoife Deery calls for mandatory landlord training

tfn.scot

“Energy underpins all the essential functions of our everyday life.” Molly, our Senior Energy Policy Officer, spoke to STV Group plc News last night about the impact of the latest energy price cap increase on households.

Our social justice policy manager, Stephanie, writes about the impact of food scarcity for the people our Scottish CAB network supports and the opportunities we have to deliver lasting change and solutions that mean all of us can access good, affordable food. tfn.scot/opinion/food...

Food poverty in Scotland is unacceptable  - TFN

Stephanie Mander says that a new way of thinking must guide food policy

tfn.scot

"Far-right rhetoric around immigration and welfare is, he says, 'increasingly demonising'." www.heraldscotland.com/news... @neilmackay.bsky.social

The #OlderScotlandIndex26 with Diffley Partnership shows that 1 in 5 older people has an income of less than £15,000 a year. This is particularly concerning given the rising cost of living and is resulting in pensioners cutting essentials to get by. www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

A compelling long-read on the important work of Citizens Advice Scotland @citizensadvicescot.bsky.social "Citizens Advice Bureaux in Scotland have been targeted by far-right activists for helping non-white, migrant or foreign residents." Disgraceful racism. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2623410...

Citizens Advice Scotland's fury at far-right 'demonisation' in our country's schemes

As extremists target Scotland’s poorest areas, the Citizens Advice service tells our Writer at Large of its plans to tackle demonisation and…

heraldscotland.com

"Public debt happens when public systems fail." In today's @thirdforcenews.bsky.social David Hilferty says the Scottish Government's Public Service Reform agenda needs to include preventing public sector debt.

Public service reform must include ending public debt - TFN

David Hilferty: we need to move to a prevention-based model

tfn.scot

During the Holyrood debate on the Third sector, our network was mentioned x6 by 5 MSPs across 4 parties. And it wasn't a simple name-check. 👂🏻Our calls for multi-year funding are being heard.

Our policy manager for financial health, Sarah-Jayne discusses the need for Scotland’s own financial inclusion strategy that caters for the specific challenges experienced across the country and how this would complement the existing UK strategy. tfn.scot/opinion/scot...

Scotland needs its own Financial Inclusion Strategy - TFN

Sarah-Jayne Dunn: we have an opportunity to create a focused, meaningful strategy that could really make a difference

tfn.scot

As volunteer week draws to a close, this week's Herald column comes from our CEO Derek on how volunteers are the beating heart of our network 💙🔗 tfn.scot/opinion/volu...

Volunteers - why do they do it? - TFN

Derek Mitchell: volunteers are the beating heart of the Citizens Advice network

tfn.scot

👂🏽To round off this Volunteers’ Week, hear from three CAB volunteers on why they would recommend volunteering in their local Citizens Advice Bureau. ⭐ #VolunteersWeek #CABVolunteeringScot www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFtp...

Why volunteer with a Citizens Advice Bureau

YouTube video by Citizens Advice Scotland

youtube.com

❤️ Listen to CAB volunteers talk about the benefits of volunteering in their local Citizens Advice Bureau.👇🏼 www.youtube.com/watch?v=R27Z... #VolunteersWeek #CABVolunteeringScot

The benefits of volunteering with a Citizens Advice Bureau

YouTube video by Citizens Advice Scotland

youtube.com

Our volunteers are at the heart of our network. 👂🏽Listen to what CAB managers have to say about the vital work volunteers do in their local CAB now 👇🏼

🎉It’s Volunteers’ Week!  We want to start this week by extending a huge thank you to all CAB volunteers across the network for their continued commitment and dedication. Volunteers are the heart of the network — without them, we couldn’t exist. ❤️ #volunteersweek

Molly Shevlin explains the inevitable impact of the Ofgem energy cap rise in today's @thirdforcenews.bsky.social. 👇

With energy costs to surge from July, deepening debt will follow - TFN

Molly Shevlin: when costs are unaffordable, arrears are the consequence

tfn.scot

“That’s not just statistics on a page, that is someone sitting in a cold house.” In Holyrood yesterday, @karenadamsnp.bsky.social quoted data from our latest Energy Brief as evidence of the human impact of high energy bills.

In the last of her three TV interviews yesterday on the Ofgem price cap, Emma put in a word for the particular challenges facing those who live in rural areas. 👇

Emma Jackson on BBC Scotland last night giving great advice on what people can do if they are struggling with energy costs

Too many parents are making impossible choices between heating, food + other essentials. We’re backing @citizensadvicescot.bsky.social calls for a social tariff and stronger protections for low-income households. Full response: opfs.org.uk/get-involved... Our helpline is available to support

Our head of social justice Emma Jackson spoke to BBC Scotland news this morning about how the Ofgem price cap rise will impact people, even with the warmer weather here, energy bills are still unaffordable. #ofgem #pricecap #energy #scotland

Energy shouldn't be a luxury. Today's energy price cap increase will push 1,000s deeper into debt, forcing many to choose between heat, light and other essentials. We can’t go on like this.