Over 40 per cent of people are concerned about income during COVID-19 lockdown, Citizens Advice Scotland finds

A survey finds people are concerned about being able to afford utility bills, rent, council tax and debt repayments

Forty one per cent of people are concerned about their income during the COVID-19 outbreak, Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has found.

In a survey carried out by the Scotpulse pollster, 14 per cent of people said they were very concerned about their incomes, with a further 27 per cent saying they were fairly concerned.

Of those worried about money, 31 per cent said they were concerned about utility bills, rent and debt repayments.

In addition, 27 per cent are concerned about mortgage repayments and the same number are concerned about paying for food and other essentials. Twenty nine percent say they worry about paying council tax.

CAS said the concerns around income show the extent of financial uncertainty people continue to feel during the outbreak.

CAS Financial Health spokesperson Myles Fitt said: “All across Scotland the coronavirus outbreak has fundamentally changed the way of life for people.

“What advisers across the Citizens Advice network were seeing before Covid-19 was the issue of people struggling to pay for key bills as a result of a lack of income in the first place.

“With over 40% of people in our survey concerned about their income, there is a real risk the pandemic makes this a more serious issue for a larger group of people.

“Both the Scottish and UK governments, as well as industry regulators, have taken significant steps to ease the short term pressure on people meeting the costs of daily living. Our message to people is that support is there and to access the support you are entitled to.

“Across the country the Citizens Advice network has adapted to these changed circumstances, with CABs across the country still delivering advice in these challenging times, either on the phone or electronically by local advisers.

“The network has also established a national helpline and people can check our online advice at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Scotland .”