Controversial changes to the benefits system are driving thousands of more people to seek help from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAB), it has been revealed.
A survey by the organisation which provides free and impartial advice to those in need found that the reforms are the biggest concern of CAB advisors going into 2012.
More than half of all CAB advisors (53%) believe benefits are the most pressing issue for people seeking their assistance, followed by debt (21%) and employment (14%).
Advisors have also seen a huge increase in the number of people seeking help with rising energy bills.
Although just 7% of staff said fuel prices were their biggest concern, just over one fifth (22%) said it was one of the top two concerns. This was up from just 12% last year.
The UK government is also replacing incapacity benefit with employment support allowance. Claimants must now undergo an assessment to see if they are fit to work.
However, the tests have been extremely controversial and many seriously disabled or ill claimants including some with terminal conditions have had their benefits withdrawn as a result of the assessment.
Many win them back on appeal, but CAS head of policy Susan McPhee said the survey showed how damaging the reforms are to some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people.
She said: ”This information is invaluable not just for us but for politicians and government as well because, in addition to providing a vital advice service to people who are in need, CAB advisors are also a unique source of information on what issues are causing the greatest problems for Scots.
”This year’s survey shows that the reforms being made to the benefits system are really hitting the most vulnerable Scots, and our staff around the country now believe this is by far the greatest problem they seeing being brought to the CAB.
”Debt also remains high on the list, and there is a big concern about the behaviour of utility companies much of which was based on the issue of high fuel bills.”
Nearly half of all advisors (44%) said government agencies such as the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and JobCentre Plus are among the most difficult to deal with.
The DWP and Jobcentres are described by advisors as ”incompetent, disorganised and show a complete lack of respect to people” while the government’s tax office was described as ”aggressive and unhelpful.”