More than 90,000 Scots sought Citizens Advice support over past six months

More than 92,000 struggling Scots have sought help from the Citizens Advice net work during the six months of lockdown.

And more than 450,000 individual pieces of advice have been issued by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) to 92,276 people since the corona virus lockdown came into effect on March 23.

Citizens Advice Bureaux were only allowed to reopen for face-to-face advice for vulnerable clients in August, following Scottish Government approval, with the majority of advice issued over the phone or sought online. With the furlough scheme expected to end in October, CAS said they expect the demand for services to increase in the coming months, as they anticipate rising unemployment and personal debt.

C AS deputy chief exe cutive Anne La very said the increased demand for support during the pandemic showed the importance of funding free, impartial and confidential advice.

Ms Laver y said: “This data shows the absolutely staggering work Citizens Advice Bureaux are doing in local communities across the country during this crisis, helping people recognise their rights and access money they are entitled to.

“To do that–while the country went throughu np recedented levels of change in how we work and live our lives – shows how resilient local Citizens Advice Bureaux are.

“The network has been there for people for 80 years and hasn’t missed a beat during the pandemic.

“We know demand for advice will likely grow even further as the furlough scheme winds down and people face growing unemployment and rising debts.

“That’ s why we think it should be extended in certain sectors and parts of the UK to protect people.”