STRUGGLING families need more help to cope with their debt as fuel poverty rates continue to rise, a union has said.

A new campaign has been launched this week in a bid to secure better debt advice and support for Glaswegians finding it difficult to manage the cost-of-living crisis.

Unite For a Workers’ Economy has teamed up with anti-fuel poverty campaigners Power to the People to demand “better resources” for Scotland’s local debt advice services.

The group’s figures state that, as of last week, food inflation remained just shy of 20% – the second-highest rate in 45 years – and, while multinational corporations announce record profits, thousands of homes are expected to be living in fuel poverty.

The Face To Face campaign is calling on the Scottish Government to increase funding for the Fuel Insecurity Fund to £40million, increase funding for local authority-funded debt advice services by 20% and allocate the £6m Debt Advice Levy Fund to face to face and free debt advice service in communities, instead of larger online or call centre debt services.

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Glasgow Councillor Matt Kerr, from Power To The People, said: “There is a perception that the energy crisis is at an end, especially as it is no longer in the headlines.

“We need to remember that Scottish households are paying more than ever for their energy bills. People are now more in need of help than at any other time in this crisis, but local debt advice services are on their knees, with long waiting times to get a face-to-face interview, because of a lack of funding.

“Many advisers themselves don’t know how they will pay their own bills and keep the lights on.”

The union said there is “growing concern the Scottish Government is failing” to do more to support local advice agencies during the cost-of-living crisis.

In March, polling found that more than 500,000 Scots expected to increase their overdraft use to cope with the cost-of-living crisis. It is vital, the campaigners argue, that community debt services are supported to guide people through this increased pressure.

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Claire Peden, an organiser from Unite For A Workers’ Economy, said: “Debt advice keeps people in their homes, families together and the heating on.

“It stops people from going to prison for debts like fines and council tax and has a massive benefit to mental health. But debt advice services are overworked and underfunded.

“It's now critical that the Scottish Government increases funding and provides a lifeline to the most vulnerable in our communities.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said:

“Advice services play a critical role, helping people to access the support and information they need. We are investing £11.7m this year in advice services to provide free income maximisation, welfare and debt advice. We are committed to a multichannel funding programme, which includes face-to-face advice provision.

“The Scottish Government continues to do everything within our power to support the many thousands of households who continue to struggle with their energy bills. This includes tripling our Fuel Insecurity Fund to £30m this year, in order to support even more people facing unprecedented energy costs.”