Surge in inquiries at Inverness Citizens Advice office amid coronavirus pandemic prompts appeal for volunteers
A surge in the number of people seeking help from the Inverness branch of the Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has prompted a renewed call for volunteers.
The office is currently handling up to 30 telephone calls a day on issues including multiple debts, employment rights and benefits.
CAS has also warned of a council tax debt "explosion" across Scotland amid fears the impact of the coronavirus pandemic could worsen in 2021 as payment protections and furlough schemes end.
The cumulative total for council tax arrears in Scotland is already £6.8 million.
It comes as Highland Council urged people having troubles heating their home to apply for support.
Alasdair Christie, general manager of the Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey bureau, said: "Every day, we are handling in excess of 25 to 30 telephone calls.
"The majority of people contacting us are new callers.
"We are seeing people who are approaching the CAS for the first time.
"They have not been on benefits at all. Because of the pandemic, they have lost their jobs, or been on shorter hours.
"It is a new experience for them and the benefits system is always tricky to navigate.
"A lot of people are approaching us with debt problems. A lot of people have employment queries.
"There have been instances where some people have approached us where they feel pressured going into work, or going into a situation where they don’t feel safe because of coronavirus.
"There have been people who have been made redundant and there has been no proper consultation.
"Unfortunately, there have been instances of some employers not treating staff as well as they could – although I would stress the vast majority have been excellent."
Analysis by CAS has revealed the average debt owed was more than £3000 – almost three times the average council tax bill of £1201 – a figure which is mirrored in the Highlands.
"People are becoming ill over thinking about their debts and how they are going to manage," Mr Christie said.
"They should get in touch with CAS or their debt adviser as soon as they can.
"The sooner people can address it, the sooner it can be resolved."
But he acknowledged the bureau was continually under pressure due to the pandemic.
"We are desperate to recruit new volunteers to help cope with the massively expanding workload," he said.
"It is ongoing across the Highlands – all bureaux are looking for volunteers on a regular basis, even before the pandemic.
"Obviously now, it is more important than ever to get people.
"Some of our volunteers have been shielding. Some are home schooling. We have been more depleted because of the pandemic."
Mr Christie, who is also a Highland councillor, said they were looking for anyone with the desire to help others.
"People might have life skills and experience from their previous roles," he said, adding that much of the training was being done online.
"Usually there is a role for everyone."
Meanwhile, a £270,000 fuel support fund has been set up by the council using Scottish Government funding.
Council leader Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. Large sections of the Highland population do not have access to mains gas and are reliant on more expensive sources of domestic heating such as oil, wood, coal, and wood pellets.
"Highland Council has therefore decided to use part of the government’s funding to set up a fuel support fund for those who are having difficulties paying for fuel for their homes.
"Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Council tax rules mean that there are some individuals on a low income who are exempt from council tax and therefore not entitled to council tax reduction. The council’s head of revenues and business support will therefore look at these claims on an individual basis so that awards can be made to those who are eligible."
The fund will close on February 28.
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