Natalie Don MSP is backing the new ‘Our Advice Adds Up’ campaign encouraging local residents to contact Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau to get advice to maximise their incomes and cut their bills.
The MSP for Renfrewshire North and West is supporting the campaign after being by informed that more than 1.4 million people in Scotland have run out money before payday in the last year.
Natalie Don MSP said: “It is truly heart-breaking to discover that so many people across Scotland are struggling to put food on their tables ahead of their work, pensions or benefits payday.
“With food and energy prices already rising, and the latest figures showing 15,476 people in Renfrewshire are claiming Universal Credit, thousands of hard-pressed local families will be devastated by the cut to the £20 UC uplift, and I dread to think about how they will cope during the winter months as they are driven much deeper into poverty.
“I’m pleased to support the ‘Our Advice Adds Up’ campaign and encourage people in Renfrewshire who are experiencing financial pressures to obtain vital advice from Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau about how to maximise their incomes and cut their bills.”
Gavin Lovesey, Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau’s Service Development Manager, said: “We welcome this support for the campaign. With the National Insurance contributions increase, rising inflation and rapidly rising energy prices, going into this winter will be challenging particularly for those on low incomes.
“As furlough ends, many more people may find themselves living solely on benefits. We urge anyone who is struggling with money, or worried about how they’ll cope with these challenges, to get in touch with us to ensure they’re receiving everything they’re entitled to, getting help to manage any debt, and reducing spend where possible.”
Get in touch with Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau on telephone: 0141 889 2121 or via the contact details on www.renfrewshirecab.org.uk
In 2020/21, Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau provided advice to help 3,564 local people to gain a cumulative total of £2.4million.