An organisation which offers advice to people struggling on the breadline in Stirling have reported nine times more requests for support with energy issues in the last three years.
Stirling Citizens Advice Bureau revealed the statistics as it launched its new ‘cost of living guide’ - aiming to provide those in need with helpful information and access to resources, including crisis grants and securing assistance with Universal Credit.
The guide follows on research carried out by Stirling CAB which highlights the scale of the problems being faced by those contacting the service, with the data compiled by the organisation’s volunteers in its social work team.
It reveals a 900 per cent rise in clients seeking help with energy debt arrears since the start of the pandemic, as well as a rise of almost 800 per cent in the number of clients with prepayment meters requesting help to keep their meter in credit.
There was also a staggering 1100 per cent surge in people seeking support with energy disconnection or the imminent threat of it.
A sample survey of the organisation’s food clients has highlighted that since the beginning of the cost-of-living crisis, 93 per cent of those surveyed had borrowed money from family or friends to survive.
A further 81 per cent had reported falling into debt or further debt, while almost two-thirds had skipped meals and 83 per cent reported deteriorating health.
The research team compiling the data revealed they were left ‘shocked’ by the findings, with the increases being well above the expectations they had set before setting out on the project.
The charity released the survival guide last week, with it being available online at stirlingcab.org.uk/news/costofliving-crisis-survival-guide and also from the bureau branch itself in the city centre.
Stirling CAB CEO Craig Anderson said: “The cost-of-living crisis is unprecedented and continues to have a devastating impact on the lives of many Stirling citizens.
“The need for advice, information and support around money, debt, shortages of fuel and food is huge and continues to grow.
“If anyone needs advice, please contact their local CAB and we will do our utmost to help. The survival guide itself is a useful tool for citizens and for sister organisations working with people in crisis.”
