CITIZEN ADVICE SCOTLAND'S BIG ENERGY SAVINGS WEEK

That this House welcomes the third annual Big Energy Savings Week to be held between 27 and 31 January 2014, which will encourage consumers to cut their fuel bills, get the financial support to which they are entitled and to check, switch, insulate; notes that the week is being run in collaboration between Citizens Advice Scotland, Citizens Advice (England and Wales) and citizens advice bureaux across the country; congratulates Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB) across the country for running innovative and outreaching events in their communities, such as North Ayrshire Citizens Advice Service (NACAS), who are providing roadshow events across North Ayrshire to reach out to the public with energy saving tips and ideas; is appalled by the 37 per cent increase in energy prices between October 2010 and November 2013, and believes that this week will provide a valuable opportunity for consumers to find the best deal possible for their individual circumstances; understands the scale of this issue in constituents' lives, with Citizens Advice Scotland research reporting a four per cent increase in clients coming to CAB with energy issues between 2011-12 and 2012-13; encourages consumers to visit www.bigenergysavingsweek.org.uk or their local citizens advice bureau to seek help and advice on energy supply; and supports the effort of the citizen advice service in Scotland to alleviate the scandal of fuel poverty.