Useful Contacts
BENEFITS
For your MPs, who can deal with benefit problems.
Tel: 020 7219 4272
COUNCILS
for inquiries on HOUSING, EDUCATION , REFUSE COLLECTION, NEIGHBOURHOOD ISSUES including anti-social behaviour, PLANNING
COMPLAINTS AGAINST PUBLIC BODIES
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
For complaints against public bodies but only after the formal complaints process of the organization concerned has been exhausted.
Tel: 0800 377 7330
CONSUMER INFORMATION & COMPLAINTS
Consumer Direct
Regionally based advisors can give practical advice on all kinds of consumer issues from problems with cars to faulty household appliances.
08454 040506
DEBT
ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING
Planning Aid for Scotland
A charity which exists to help individuals and organizations engage with the planning system.
See also your local council, as above.
Tel: 0845 603 7602
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Freedom of Information
You have the right to ask for information held by Scottish public authorities. Further information, including details of how a request can be made is available from the website of the Scottish Information Commissioner;
http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/home/ScottishInformationCommissioner.asp
A list of Scottish public authorities can be found at this address;
01334 464610
GENERAL
HEALTH
Scotland Patients Association
for opportunities to raise concerns about health care
Tel: 0141 942 0376
Independent Advice and Support Service
(run by Citizens Advice Scotland) for advice and help on a range of issues that can have an impact on health – housing, employment, benefits, money worries, raising concerns about treatment, support to use the NHS complaints process, accessing health, community and social services for the improvement of well being.
SEE UNDER CITIZENS ADVICE SCOTLAND ABOVE
Scottish Breast Cancer Campaign
Tel: 0131 623 0037 or 07955 170284
HOUSING: GENERAL INFORMATION
Shelter Scotland For comprehensive information on a wide variety of housing issues including eviction, repairs, anti-social behavior.
Tel: 0808 800 4444
OLDER PEOPLE
Age Concern Scotland and Help the Aged Scotland are now one organization.
Tel: 0845 833 0200
UTILITIES
Complaints against Electricity and Gas Suppliers
The Energy Ombudsman
If you have a complaint about your electricity or Gas supplier you should first try to sort it out directly yourself. If that is not possible and the issue is not resolved you can make a complaint to the Energy Ombudsman. You must have complained to your electricity or gas supplier first.
You can contact the Energy Ombudsman at:
PO Box 966
Warrington
WA4 9DF
Tel: 0845 055 0760 or 01925 530263
Fax: 0845 055 0765 or 01925 530264
Textphone: 18001 0845 051 1513 or 18001 01925 430886
Email: enquiries@energy-ombudsman.org.uk
Website: www.energy-ombudsman.org.uk.
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem)
Ofgem is an independent regulatory body, set up by the government to promote competition and monitor and regulate the activities of companies in the gas and electricity industries. Ofgem also monitors suppliers’ codes of practice and tries to ensure that the needs of vulnerable customers are met. They cannot deal directly with consumer complaints. Their Consumer Affairs team deal with enquiries about their policies. They can be contacted on: 020 7901 7295 or by email at: consumeraffairs@ofgem.gov.uk.
Water
Domestic Supply
Waterwatch Scotland handles complaints for all domestic water customers in Scotland. You should try to resolve the matter yourself in the first instance, by contacting Scottish Water. This can be done through the Scottish Water website;
http://www.scottishwater.co.uk/portal/page/portal/SWE_PGP_HOME/SWE_PGE_HOME
The customer helpline number is 0845 601 8855.
In the case of emergencies only, 0845 600 8855
Non-domestic Customers
Information from Scotland on Tap;
http://www.scotlandontap.gov.uk/
Suppliers are:
Aimera
Business Stream
Ondeo
Osprey Water
Satec
Wessex
Telephones
NB This information also applies in England and Wales
As for utilities generally, any complaint must first be raised directly with the company. Only if the matter is not resolved can you use the Alternative Dispute Resolution Process. More information can be found from;
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_world/communications/phone_services.htm