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School Clothing Grant With schools returning from the summer holidays, many parents are worried about the costs associated with sending their children back to school. For those struggling to pay for school uniforms, there is additional support available in the form of the School Clothing Grant. The grant provides eligible parents or guardians with at …

I’m worried about my child going back to school as I am struggling with money and don’t know how I’m going to afford a school uniform and school meals. Is there any support available to help with this? Read More »

Check your benefit entitlement The ongoing cost of living crisis means that more Scots are struggling to make ends meet than ever before. Although you have highlighted that you are already receiving benefits, it is always worthwhile checking you are receiving everything you are entitled to. You can use Advice Direct Scotland’s free, online calculator …

I’ve been struggling to keep up with my bills and pay for basic things like my energy costs. I work part-time and receive some benefits, but I feel that my income does not cover my expenses. I know there are cost-of-living payments being made but have not received mine. Can you help? Read More »

Many of us are finding ourselves in the same boat this year, cutting back on day-to-day expenditure, and trying to keep an eye on what is going out. This is especially true in the lead up to Christmas, with many of our budgets stretched as it is. Planning, and only spending what we can means …

I am struggling a lot more than I thought I would be this year trying to organise myself for Christmas. I find myself cutting back on energy and other expenditure to afford other things as it is – and won’t be able to buy as many gifts this year. Can you offer any tips or advice? Read More »

It is important that you reach out to the courier to check that all the items the retailer claims have been delivered have been. If the courier claims that they have, but there is no sign of them, it could be that your delivery has been tampered with. You should check the packages that you …

I bought some Christmas decorations in a ‘preview’ Black Friday sale. Most of the baubles were smashed, and I am still waiting on one part of the package that they said has been delivered. They are refusing to take the goods back or offer a refund. Can you help? Read More »

They can be someone we’ve matched with on a dating site; someone who has contacted us out of the blue by email; or someone we have met in person. They may ask us to keep the relationship or communication a secret from our friends and family. Romance and companionship scammers play with people’s emotions, often …

Romance and Companionship Scams – What Do They Look Like? Read More »

There are several scams doing the rounds, with scammers claiming to be reaching out from official bodies such as the NHS. These types of scams were particularly common during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, with scammers contacting people with links to order a range of things, including testing kits and personal protective equipment. These …

I have been receiving calls, emails, and texts from various numbers, claiming to be reaching out from the NHS about Covid-19 boosters and testing and monkeypox jabs, but they do not seem like official messages. Can you help? Read More »

The cost-of-living crisis is having an impact on us all, and with increased energy prices set to rise further moving into the winter months, many are finding themselves in a similar situation. Most of us are doing the small things we can to save energy and bring our bills down, such as turning off lights …

I am really struggling to afford energy costs. My income barely covers my monthly bills and I worry that prices are going up again, leaving me in an impossible situation. Can you help? Read More »

I want to move my electricity meter, but I am having terrible difficulty arranging this with my energy supplier, and I have decided I am going to move it myself, by getting someone in to do it. Can you offer any advice? It is illegal for you to move or remove your energy meter by …

Energy Matters Matter: Your Questions Answered Read More »

Call blockers are used to reduce, and even stop nuisance calls altogether, and are usually pieces of physical hardware that plug into the landline. There are legitimate companies who provide this technology, however as you have discovered, there are also scammers who take advantage of people. Help from telecoms providers  Telecoms providers are doing more …

I have been getting a lot of calls from companies trying to sell me things, telling me I have won competitions, and requesting personal information. Recently, a company called trying to sell me a call blocker to stop scam calls and they were a scammer themselves. What can I do? Read More »