Spike in online advice shows people’s coronavirus concerns

A consumer charity has reported a major spike in people searching for advice about employment and benefits in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Citizens Advice Scotland said searches on its website since March 9 to 24 – a total of 15 days – had soared by 20 per cent, to 219,488, compared to 183,980 at the same time last year.

Advice on sick pay entitlement saw a massive increase of 1,603 per cent in comparison to last year, being viewed 2,607 times.

The most visited page was a newly-created advice section on coronavirus which is updated as new guidance from the UK and Scottish Governments is issued, which was viewed 17,666 times. The page includes health advice, employment and benefits advice as well as information for renters and businesses.

Other pages which have had substantial increases are related to Universal Credit, benefits in general and information on crisis grants available through the Scottish Welfare Fund.

The statistics come as the Chancellor announced another set of measures to try and help the self-employed during the coronavirus crisis. He has announced a self-employed income support scheme which will be a taxable grant worth 80 per cent of average monthly profits over the last three years up to £2,500 a month. The scheme is similar to that already announced for employees – but it won’t come into effect until June. Universal Credit also takes five weeks before any payment is made.

‘Unprecedented demand’

Citizens Advice Scotland has reported a huge spike in people looking for help.

CAS chief executive, Derek Mitchell, said: “There has been an unprecedented increase in demand on our advice site since the outbreak of coronavirus in the UK as people in Scotland search for free, independent and trusted online help and support.

“The outbreak is having an immediate impact on people across the country, ranging from people losing a loved one, very suddenly being without any income, and others who are being asked to work in a completely different way. We really welcome the steps both the UK and Scottish Governments are taking, which must be for the long-term.

“The effects of coronavirus will be felt by all of us. Scotland’s Citizens Advice network stands ready to help people navigate this very quickly changing landscape that we all find ourselves in.

“The increase in page views we have seen so far is likely to go up exponentially. We are constantly updating our online advice as updates are made by both the UK and Scottish Government and the volume of traffic we are seeing is increasing day-by-day across issues like Universal Credit, education, employment rights and consumer issues like cancelled holidays.

“This is obviously a time of serious concern and anxiety for people across the country. Our message to the public is that Scotland’s Citizens Advice network is here and ready to help.”