Cost of Living

Lords Blame Universal Credit for Soaring Rent Arrears and Rising Use of Food Banks

Universal Credit has been blamed for sharp rises in rent arrears and huge increases in the number of people reliant on food banks.

Scottish Families to be Alerted to Extra Financial Support Options

Around 22,000 households are to be alerted by the Scottish government to the fact they may be eligible to extra forms of financial support if they’re struggling.

Calls for Government to Protect Scots from Eviction into 2021

Action should be taken by the Scottish government to protect people struggling to pay their rent this year from being evicted as the coronavirus crisis continues.

Crisis Grant Payments Double as Scots Struggle During Covid-19 Lockdown

The amounts of money being paid out as crisis grant payments across Scotland doubled between April and May of last year and the same two months of 2020.

Further Protections Promised for Car Finance and High Cost Credit Users

Users of car finance products and high cost credit services who’ve been impacted by coronavirus are set for an extension to protections introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Plans to End Period Poverty Get Backing at Scottish Parliament

Members of the Scottish parliament in Holyrood have backed plans to offer free sanitary products to women and girls across Scotland.

Affordability Crisis in Housing Sector Raising Stress Levels for Millions

The stresses and worries involved in covering housing costs are affecting millions of people across the UK, according to a new piece of research on the subject.

Universal Credit Plans “Will Steamroll Vulnerable People into Poverty”

The further rollout of the Universal Credit benefits system will force many hundreds of thousands and potentially millions of people into poverty, the Salvation Army has warned.

Energy Bills to Fall for Millions from April

Millions of households will see their energy bills come down from April thanks to a lowering of price caps by the UK’s energy regulator.

What is happening with the National Living Wage in Scotland in 2020?

The national living wage (NLW) applies to workers over the age of 25, and on 1st April 2020 is set to increase by 6.2% from £8.21 per hour to £8.72 per hour. This pay rate is legally binding for emp...

Universal Credit Pushing Scots into Debt, Says Citizens Advice

Universal Credit (UC) is pushing Scots into debt when they are already struggling for money and the entire system around the benefit should be fundamentally reformed.

Money Worries Mounting Up for Scots on Squeezed Incomes

Many thousands of Scots are feeling the financial squeeze and have found themselves with growing money worries this year.