Advice given after depressing cost of living figures revealed
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Rising food costs and an energy bill crisis have driven up prices at their fastest rate in almost 30 years, new figures have revealed.
Inflation rose to 5.4 per cent in the 12 months to December, up from 5.1 per cent the month before.
Advice Direct Scotland (ADS) is the country’s national advice service, providing free advice on a range of issues including debt management and energy bills.
The charity is administering a £3million Scottish Government Home Heating Support Fund which is designed to prevent households falling into fuel poverty and help those "rationing" their energy use.
It also runs the free debt advice service, moneyadvice.scot, which provides information and support on a wide range of debt-related issues and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Colin Mathieson, spokesperson for ADS, said: “January is always a difficult time for many households, but the latest inflation figures demonstrate the scale of the cost-of-living crisis.
“And with energy bills set to soar in April, there are tens of thousands of families across Scotland who are anxious about the future. There is free advice available for all Scottish households.
“Our specialist debt advisers at moneyadvice.scot can help if you have personal financial worries, are struggling with debt, or need a way of getting back on track. And our energyadvice.scot team can support people with concerns about energy bills, while the £3m Home Heating Support Fund will help those rationing their usage.
“At this difficult time for many, it’s important to remember that free advice is available and you don’t have to struggle alone.”
