FUNDING is in place for a new service to help low-income families and older people access personalised financial advice.

The Financial Health Check service will be backed by £3.3million from the Scottish Government over the next two years.

It aims to help people avoid the ‘poverty premium’ of paying more for essential goods and services and will be available through a free telephone number or can be accessed in person at a Citizens Advice Bureau.

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Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: "I am delighted our Financial Health Check service is now open for business.

"The health check will cover issues such as access to free school meals, benefit uptake, council tax reduction and cheaper deals on energy and other utilities to reduce household costs.

"I am delighted that families and older people will be able to get the personalised advice they need to save money and to receive all the support that is available."

Citizens Advice Scotland chief executive Derek Mitchell added: "Research has shown that around half a million Scots are not claiming all the support they are entitled to.

"That means families are struggling to heat their homes or put food on the table while missing out on financial assistance that could make a crucial difference.

"This service is all about identifying those people and linking them up with the grants, benefits or support that they need."

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John Dickie, the director of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, said: "We know from our work that too many hard up families miss out the financial support they are entitled to, undermining wider action to end child poverty.

"The new Financial Health Check is an important and very welcome step toward ensuring all parents get the advice they need to maximise their incomes and reduce the costs they face."