Tomorrow the Scottish Parliament will debate new legislation covering the non-surgical cosmetic industry. We support the Bill, but want improvements to ensure consumers receive greater protection and access to clear information. Read our briefing for MSPs: bit.ly/4tbpADX

Why regulation of energy brokers could help bring down the cost of bills for consumers and allow small businesses to flourish - a new blog by Consumer Scotland Energy Policy Manager Hannah Corbett. Read more: bit.ly/4bswUEW

Consumers and small businesses are willing to adopt ‘greener’ postal delivery options, but only if they are competitively priced and clearly communicated, a new report by @consumerscotland.bsky.social shows. Read more: bit.ly/49RVi1w

A new Consumer Scotland report has highlighted the scale of challenges facing Scotland’s small businesses. The survey of 700 small businesses found greatest dissatisfaction in the energy, water and telecoms markets. Read more: bit.ly/45yTQi8

Consumer Scotland has welcomed an announcement by the UK Government that the Warm Home Discount scheme will be extended until 2030/2031 with automatic payments for consumers in Scotland - one of our key recommendations. Read more: bit.ly/49PACaz

Consumer Scotland has responded to a survey by @citizensadvice.bsky.social on postal delays over the Christmas period which shows 16 million people across the UK experienced issues. Read more: bit.ly/4k4WXnH

New protections for consumers on heat networks have been announced by the UK Government and regulator Ofgem. As the statutory body for heat network consumers in Scotland Consumer Scotland will drive improvements by identifying and escalating issues of concern. Read more: bit.ly/4bhe7ML

Huge congratulations to Natasha Gilmour, Head of the Extra Help Unit at Citizens Advice Scotland on being presented with an MBE last week. #CitizensAdviceScotland #ExtraHelpUnit #NewYearHonours

Consumers in Scotland are facing an 8.67% rise in water bills from April Scottish Water has announced. The increase highlights Consumer Scotland concerns over a projected rise in water poverty over the next few years. Read more: bit.ly/3O0y5S7

Consumer Scotland has published our Draft Work Programme for 2026-2027 setting out key priorities to deliver better outcomes for consumers. We have also launched an online survey to help shape our final work programme. Read more and give your views: bit.ly/49UaREM

Coverage by The Scotsman of our research into the experience of disabled consumers in rural areas who face a range of challenges including problems with transport which limits their ability to access vital services.

Consumers connected to heat networks in Scotland are facing a range of challenges including high prices, billing issues and reliability concerns. From next week @ofgem.gov.uk will become the regulator for heat networks across Great Britain. Read more: bit.ly/4qync8K

The need for urgent action to improve transport for disabled people in rural Scotland is highlighted in a new report. Disabled people said transport problems were a significant barrier to accessing health care, social care and leisure. Read more: bit.ly/45em3KT

We are encouraging consumers to stay safe this Christmas and into the New Year by registering electrical products they buy. Registering electrical goods means consumers will be notified directly by the manufacturer if a product is recalled. Read more: bit.ly/3XMaPsY

Front page article in today's @heraldscotland.bsky.social highlighting Consumer Scotland's recommendations to improve the Warm Home Discount Scheme for consumers in Scotland. Read more: bit.ly/4qcXIwQ

Scotland facing significant rise in water poverty as bills set to increase. Consumer Scotland urges better financial support to protect low income families. Read more: bit.ly/4sl1yWS

📣 Today we’re launching our “Worried this winter?” campaign. 1 in 3 people in Scotland say their biggest financial concern right now is their energy bills, but the Citizens Advice network in Scotland is here to listen and help. Visit our website to find out more 👉 www.cas.org.uk/worried

Consumer Scotland is urging regulator Ofcom to retain the price cap for Second-Class stamps, which provides important protections for consumers and small businesses. Read more: bit.ly/454ZPL7

Consumer Scotland has published a new report recommending greater transparency in how customer complaints are reported in the Scottish water sector. Read more: bit.ly/3KxHjUV

We are encouraging consumers to stay safe this Christmas and into the New Year by registering electrical products they buy. Registering electrical goods means consumers will be notified directly by the manufacturer if a product is recalled. Read more: bit.ly/3XMaPsY

Our Head of Investigations Craig McClue was interviewed on the BBC Radio 4 programme You and Yours this lunchtime talking listeners through our investigation into used cars. You can hear Craig from 36:59 at the following link: bit.ly/4pT25wX

Our Director of Policy and Advocacy Douglas White has given evidence to @parliament.scot on a new Bill which aims to regulate non-surgical cosmetic procedures. He highlighted the importance of consumers being given clear information on procedures, including risks and success rates. 🔽

Consumer Scotland is recruiting a Digital Communications Officer to work with the Head of Communications to help develop and grow our digital profile. Find out more and apply by 14th December: bit.ly/3Maqcc7

Our #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay has focused on children today. Throughout the year, we work with schools to ensure that we can deliver lessons to children to improve their knowledge of energy efficiency and how to keep warm at home.

Consumer Scotland Head of Energy Markets Barry Coughlan has welcomed measures to reduce energy bills in today's UK Government Budget, but says more work is needed to ensure energy affordability support is improved in future. Read more: bit.ly/4omNRTP

The UK Government REMA decision ruled out zonal pricing, but big reforms are still needed to the national electricity market to tackle rising bills. Our Head of Energy Markets Barry Coughlan explores the challenges ahead in a new blog post. Read more: bit.ly/4ogVKKD

Island communities are facing multiple postal service challenges that affect daily life, business and wellbeing. Our Head of Post reflects on speaking to island communities who are seeking equitable solutions in a new blog post. Read more: bit.ly/3Kjncti

Coverage of our recommendations on the non-surgical cosmetic industry by BBC Scotland at the weekend: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

We have recommended electric vehicle ownership be included in the 2031 census to support Scotland’s net zero transition. Better data will allow the design of strategies to encourage EV uptake and ensure consumers have access to essential charging infrastructure. Read more: bit.ly/4o93hLp

Consumer Scotland is recommending greater protections for consumers engaging in the fast-growing non-surgical cosmetic industry. Read more: bit.ly/49AbEfB

Our Head of Energy Barry Coughlan was interviewed on BBC Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live today on rising energy prices and the vital importance of targeted affordability support for consumers. You can hear him from 00:36:02 at this link: bit.ly/4puDvCF

Today we’ve published our latest #Energy Brief. Here’s what you need to know 👇 🧵(1/3)

Consumer Scotland has commented on the latest energy price cap announcement from Ofgem which will see a 0.2% rise in gas and electricity prices from January. We are recommending more targeted energy support for consumers who need it the most. Read more: bit.ly/48rGNk7

Our Water Policy Officer Shona Hamilton outlines the key lessons learned from our work with consumers on empowering people to commit to small, simple water-saving habits and play their part in tackling climate change. Read more: bit.ly/48sdzAL

Our Head of Energy Transition Alistair Hill highlighted the importance of engaging, empowering and informing consumers about how to decarbonise their home heating. Watch him give evidence to @parliament.scot LGHP Committee on the Scottish Government's Draft Climate Change Plan ⬇️

The @youngscot.bsky.social "Our Truth About Youth" survey is now open to everyone aged 11 to 25. Consumer Scotland is supporting this important work. The views of young people will inform our statutory role of improving outcomes for consumers today and in the future. Find out more below ⬇️

Consumer Scotland has issued a statement after the Scottish Government announced it will not introduce a Heat in Buildings Bill in the current session of the Scottish Parliament. Read more: bit.ly/48jD489

The @youngscot.bsky.social "Our Truth About Youth" survey is now open to everyone aged 11 to 25. Consumer Scotland is supporting this important work. The views of young people will inform our statutory role of improving outcomes for consumers today and in the future. Find out more below ⬇️

🤖 Our new report, #CreatingChange, shows that while 3 in 4 small creative businesses saw the potential benefits of AI, almost a third are concerned that it could lead to the abuse of their intellectual property rights. Read the full report 👇 🔗 www.fsb.org.uk/resources/po...

"With energy debt at an eye-watering £4.4 billion, the level of relief outlined is but a flicker in the dark." Read our Director of Impact's Herald column about the energy debt and winter fuel crisis 👇 tfn.scot/opinion/ofge...

Consumer Scotland has responded to the publication by the Scottish Government of its Draft Climate Change Plan 2026–2040. We want to ensure consumers are central to all decision-making in the ongoing drive to meet carbon reduction targets. Read more: bit.ly/47N5PJ3

Our Director of Policy and Advocacy Douglas White was interviewed on BBC's Lunchtime Live programme today on the issue of postal affordability and the price of stamps. You can hear him from 01:23:24 on the following link bit.ly/494wMu3

Today we have published our Annual Report and Accounts for 2024-2025 which set out Consumer Scotland’s achievements during our third year of operation. Read more here: bit.ly/4omRfPo

Regulator Ofcom has published a call for input on pricing and affordability of postal services including a targeted discount scheme for vulnerable customers and the future of the current cap on increases for Second Class stamps. Read more: bit.ly/3LkFzOJ

The Office for Product Safety and Standards recalled 84 unsafe products last month including Mitchum 48-hour 100ml roll-on antiperspirant and deodorant. For a full list of recalled products visit the recall of goods database at: bit.ly/4ojCSeG

Consumer Scotland has called for a review of mobile contract price rises after O2 announced higher than expected increases for consumers who are mid contract. Read more: bit.ly/4nDvD09

Consumer Scotland has welcomed the next steps announced by @ofgem.gov.uk towards the introduction of a debt relief scheme to tackle mounting energy debt and arrears in the GB domestic market which now exceeds £4.4 billion. Read more: bit.ly/43L33mh

Consumer Scotland has launched an investigation into consumer protections in the used car market. The review will identify the most harmful issues and make recommendations to strengthen fairness, transparency and confidence in the sector. Read more: bit.ly/4ocdO9q

Tenants in Scotland's private rented sector need better information, improved access to support and more user-friendly processes to help resolve issues, Consumer Scotland has said in a new report published today. Read more: bit.ly/48OUev2

Know about the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment - helping you stay warm this winter. advice.scot | 0808 800 9060