Coronavirus: National "one stop shop" advice service launched for Scots

A new national “one stop shop”advice service for Scots hit by the impact of Coronovirus has been launched covering areas like employment, finance and housing.

A growing number of Scots are anxious about their finances as a result of Coronavirus

The coronavirusadvice.scot service offers practical advice on peoples’ rights amid growing anxiety among many about their cash running out and eviction from home.

The multi-channel service includes a free national phone number, live web chat, email and social media, as well as an online ‘knowledge centre’.

It is run by the charity Advice Direct Scotland.

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said:“The coronavirusadvice.scot service is a one-stop-shop for everyone in Scotland to receive practical advice and information.“We know how anxious many people are at this difficult time, so we set out to find a way to provide a national advice service while protecting our dedicated staff by moving to home working.“Our technology will ensure that people in Scotland can contact us through multiple channels, and we are receiving a huge number of queries relating to housing, benefits and employability, with many of these issues compounded amid the coronavirus crisis.“Consumers also have lots of questions about cancellations and our team can provide free, practical advice on people’s rights.”The service has been created using cloud technology so that all advisers are working from home and able to use the organisation’s software to answer calls from the public and provide up-to-date information.The service will be updated regularly, and will be in place for the duration of the coronavirus crisis.It can be contacted on 0808 800 9060 between 9am and 5pm on Mondays to Friday, and via live webchat or email at www.coronavirusadvice.scot.