MSP Karen Adam applauds new Citizens Advice Scotland campaign Big Energy Saving Winter
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MSP Karen Adam has applauded Citizens Advice Scotland’s (CAS) new campaign to help the people worst hit by soaring energy bills and the cost of living crisis – praising it as insightful, intelligent and timely.
CAS data suggests that one in ten people seeking help with an energy issue also need food insecurity advice.
As a result, its Big Energy Saving Winter campaign aims to make sure that people who are worried about their energy bills get wraparound advice that could see their incomes boosted through additional grants or social security payments.
Last year the Citizens Advice network unlocked £132million for people across the country.
The main aim of Big Energy Saving Winter is to point people at the campaign web page: www.cas.org.uk/besw.
From there, those seeking advice can get help in a variety of ways and select an option that suits them best.
The web page has links to all kinds of resources and tools, with information on everything from making the most of your money to claiming Universal Credit for the first time, details on potential Council Tax exemptions and reductions to contact details for the Citizens Advice Money Talk team who can help people maximise their income, look at options to reduce costs and offer specialist debt advice.
Commenting MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast Karen Adam said: “I am grateful to Mary Riley, the manager at Moray Citizens Advice Bureau in Elgin, for letting me know about the Big Energy Saving Winter campaign being promoted by the Citizens Advice network across Scotland.
"Given the current situation with electricity and gas, it’s no surprise that people are seeking help about energy issues.
"Bills are up, inflation is up and thanks to the UK Government we are facing an acute cost of living crisis.
"This is the right campaign at the right time.
“Given those struggling with bills could have financial challenges elsewhere in their life too, the fact that CAS is aiming for wraparound advice, looking at the problem holistically, is an intelligent and insightful way to tackle the issue.
“Big Energy Saving Winter is certainly worth flagging up for my constituents in Aberdeenshire and Moray.
"It could really be of direct help to people whether they live in Buckie, Boddam or somewhere in between.
"If you are in difficulties right now, please check out the campaign web page and see what’s there for you.”
