Updated advice on energy supplier crisis
I recently received a letter from the government that says I could save up to £290 per year if I switch my energy tariff. Money is pretty tight and this seemed a good idea. However, I can’t seem to find any deals on price comparison sites. Can you help?
Unfortunately, the information which had been sent out to people was out of date and is not the best advice at the moment.
Instead, most agencies suggest that people stay put with their current supplier and tariff regardless of their supplier’s reported financial status.
We realise that not being able to save money by switching supplier is frustrating, especially given other circumstances like the rising cost of living, inflation, and the removal of the Universal Credit top up payment, but there is still some help available.
Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau can help you apply for schemes and discounts (if eligible), give tips on energy saving around your home, and check if there are any benefits you might be due.
Assistance for local people in crisis situations can include referrals to the food bank and support with paying for fuel or fuel debt (again, if eligible). The bureau can also help you resolve any concerns you have with billing, including where your supplier has gone out of business. Get in touch with us to discuss your circumstances.
I have split up with my partner. We had been together for over five years. There are no children involved and we don’t own the house we lived in, but I do have some money that was left to me. This was paid into a joint account, and I am worried that my ex will take some of this. They also want to take most of the stuff we bought together, but this will just leave me with the furniture I had before they moved in. This doesn’t seem fair.
If you and your partner have a joint bank account, your first step should be to close the joint account and open separate, individual accounts.
This is because either account holder can withdraw some or all of the money in the account without the other person’s permission.
As you are worried about this happening, you could ask your bank to freeze the joint account to prevent your partner from withdrawing any money.
Gifts and inheritances received during a relationship generally belong to the person who was given them, so you should be able to keep the money left to you.
Decisions about dividing up possessions can be complicated, but there are a number of general principles that may help.
For example, it is usually the case that any goods you owned before you started living with your partner will remain yours (along with any gifts given to you during the relationship).
However, any household goods which were bought while you were living together as a couple are presumed to be owned equally. From your account of things, your ex is looking to keep more than their share of the household goods you bought together.
In this case you should present a reasonable view on how the goods are divided, or ask them to reimburse you accordingly if they want a greater share.
If you are finding it hard to make decisions with your partner, you may want to use a mediation service or consult a solicitor who uses a collaborative approach.
Mediation involves you and your partner working with a trained, impartial mediator to reach agreement.
Collaborative law involves you and your partner meeting with your solicitors to discuss the issues and try to reach agreement.
Family Mediation West (part of Relationships Scotland) or CALM Scotland (lawyer mediators) are good sources of this kind of help.