The calls come as new polling has found a huge number of Scots have seen their financial position worsen in recent years.
Over 1.8 million adults in Scotland have seen their finances get worse during the Covid pandemic, new analysis has found.
Polling for Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) found 41 per cent of Scottish adults found their financial position got worse during the pandemic, with 26 per cent saying their position has got a bit worse and 15 per cent saying their position has got a lot worse.
YouGov, who carried out the work, found that taking into account Scotland’s adult working age population, this would represent 1.82 million people across the country.
CAS financial health spokesperson, Myles Fitt, said: “The pandemic created a hugely challenging set of financial circumstances for people and with over 1.8 million adults in Scotland seeing their finances get worse since March 2020.
“Restrictions may be easing, but there will be no let-up in pressure on household budgets, with energy bills soaring and record inflation colliding with flat and falling incomes.”
With household budgets set to take a battering in the coming months with rising energy bills and prices in the shops, CAS has launched a new campaign called ‘Debt Happens’.
The campaign seeks to encourage people that they are not alone in facing debt and to get advice from across the Citizens Advice network.
Mr Fitt said: “That all adds up to more and more people being at risk of debt. Our message to people with this new campaign is that debt happens, and you’re not alone. It’s nothing to be ashamed of and the important thing is to seek advice quickly so you get the help and support you need.
“People can get help in a variety of ways across the Citizens Advice network, from local CABs to our online resources like our public advice site and online Money Map tool.
“Some people will benefit from negotiated repayment schemes which brings their monthly payments down, but for many others getting more money in their pockets in the first place will help.
“Our advice is free, impartial and confidential and we’d encourage anyone who would benefit from advice to seek it as soon as possible. Don’t let the bills and the stress pile up, we’re here to help.”
Payment plans do not hell the problem go away. Shell energy is increasing it's daily standing charge by 138% next month plus an increase in the unit rate. It is high time that some work was done around utility costs and the fact that widening the providers in the market place works against consumers and not in their favour.