MORE than 350 cash-strapped people have turned to East Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau for help with spiralling gas and electricity bills in the last year.

The charity launched a scheme last November for local residents who are struggling to make their monthly payments or put money in their meter because of huge hikes in fuel prices by energy companies.

Staff at the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in Main Street, Barrhead, are able to deal direct with energy firms on behalf of those who come to them for help.

They say that many residents – particularly older people – struggle to get through to the companies by phone and often simply give up.

Grace Deighan, an energy adviser at the CAB, told the Barrhead News: “The main thing that we can do to help people is get immediate financial support and debt advice for them.

“We are also able to partner with organisations like the Fuel Bank Foundation to provide top-up vouchers for pre-payment meters or get them access to energy discounts.”

In the 10 months up to August this year, the CAB team was able to secure £65,000 worth of help for local people who were struggling with their energy bills.

This includes £46,600 from the Scottish Government’s Home Heating Support Fund, which was used to write off energy debts.

Almost £9,000 was secured from East Renfrewshire Council.

Grace said demand for the CAB’s fuel payments advice service has been higher than anticipated and remained constant even over the summer months.

She added: “Since November, we have had 360 people seeking help at our office in Barrhead.

“Many can’t get through by phone to the energy companies, who prefer to avoid face-to-face contact, which is a massive issue.

“They are concerned they are paying too much and don’t have enough money to cope with their next bill but can’t access support from their provider.

“It is particularly hard for older people who are unable to access online services and find the whole experience overwhelming.

“Many who contact us are vulnerable people or have needs which the energy companies don’t cater for.

“Some of our elderly clients have had a dispute for more than a year because they can’t speak to anyone about it.”

For more information about the support on offer from the CAB team, call the Barrhead office on 0141 881 3660 or 0141 881 2032.

Alternatively, send an email to bureau@eastrenfrewshirecab.casonline.org.uk