Citizens Advice Scotland and Money Advice Scotland will collaborate to better help people across the country.

Two major charities are joining forces to build the “best ever” network of debt advice across the country.

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) and Money Advice Scotland (MAS) have signed a memorandum of understanding that commits them to collaborate in communities aroundScotland.

The organisations say the move will ensure everyone in the country has access to the best possible debt advice in person, by telephone and online.

Announcing the partnership, CAS chief executive Derek Mitchell said debt is one of the top reasons why people seek help and advice from the organisation.

“CAB advisers see every day how debt can devastate families, not least because debt breeds debt, and people are often reluctant to face up to it which means it just spirals out of control,” he said.

“That’s why we need a service which is not just expert in finding solutions but is also sympathetic and encouraging in the way we deal with clients. Both CAS and MAS embody that ethos and by working together we can provide Scots with the help they need to get control of their finances.”

Yvonne MacDermid, chief executive of Money Advice Scotland, added: “We have worked collaboratively with CAS for 16 years, and this is an extension of that partnership approach.

“We need urgently to get more people to get to advice more quickly and by working more closely we can achieve that aim”

The memorandum includes a range of ambitions for both organisations to improve the services offered to those struggling with debt.

These include helping more people through multi-channel approach, sharing learning between local authority areas and working collaboratively on research and funding projects.

Progress on the partnership will be reviewed in March 2020.