THE vast majority of people seeking help from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) for employment and housing issues have never used the service before, the latest figures show.
Its monthly report showed 79,235 pieces of advice were offered in August, the highest number since lockdown was introduced in March.
More than three-quarters (77%) of those seeking housing advice had not used CAS before and 85% needing employment support were new. The majority (83%) of website visitors had not sought advice online before.
First-time visitors are more likely to be younger, employed and owner occupiers than those attending before the coronavirus lockdown, according to the report.
Help with benefits and social security remains the most asked about issue, with debt overtaking employment in the second most commonly sought advice topic.
CAS financial spokesperson Myles Fitt said: “The impact of coronavirus across different parts of society has been laid bare by this report.
“By just glancing at our data it’s crystal clear that thousands of people across the country are worried about issues including employment rights, housing, debt and benefits, and we’re concerned that the numbers will only keep increasing.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here