Households across Ayrshire are facing yet another rise in council tax this year as local authorities set their budgets for 2026/27. Recent announcements show that: North Ayrshire Council has confirmed an 8.5% rise after reducing an originally proposed 12% increase. East Ayrshire Council has agreed on 6.9% - the lowest increase among the Ayrshire councils so far. South Ayrshire Council meets on Thursday, March 5 to finalise its 2026/27 budget. These rises reflect the tough financial pressures councils are under to maintain services like bin collections, care, roads and schools - but for many families and individuals they’re yet another squeeze on already tight household budgets. Could You Reduce Your Council Tax Bill? A higher bill doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to pay the full amount. In Scotland, there are a range of reductions, discounts, and exemptions that can significantly reduce what you owe - or in some cases mean you don’t need to pay at all: 1. Council Tax Reduction (CTR) for Low Income Households If you’re on a low income or receive certain benefits, you could get help under your council’s Council Tax Reduction scheme. The amount you get depends on your income, savings and circumstances - but many households receive substantial support. 2. Single Occupancy Discount If you’re the only adult (18 or over) living in your home, you’re usually entitled to a 25% discount on your council tax bill. 3. Exemptions and Other Discounts There are numerous other ways to pay less, including: Students or student households, who may be exempt altogether. People with a disability, through a disabled band reduction. Care leavers, carers, under-18s, and those with severely mentally impaired status. Empty or second homes, which may qualify for special discounts or different charges. The rules around these vary a bit from council to council, and you usually need to claim these discounts as they aren’t always applied automatically. How CHAP Can Help It’s easy to miss out on help you’re entitled to, especially when rules can be confusing and councils often have differing eligibility criteria. To help you, our advisers can: Check whether you are eligible for any reductions, discounts, or exemptions. Assist with filling in application forms correctly. Advise you on how to appeal if your local council turns you down. Help with a debt repayment plan if you have council tax arrears. Get in touch with CHAP to arrange an appointment with one of our qualified advisers to check your eligibility and talk you through options that might apply to your circumstances. Call Freephone 030 0002 0002 Whether you’re on a low income, living alone, a student, a carer or just unsure about your council tax bill, please get in touch. We’re here to help, and all our services are free, independent and confidential.

Gambling is often talked about in financial terms - wins, losses, debt, and bills. But for many people, the impact of gambling goes far beyond money. Across Ayrshire, individuals and families can experience gambling-related harm that affects their mental wellbeing, relationships, and sense of stability. Financial pressure is frequently only one part of a much wider picture. Gambling harm can be linked with: Growing debt and difficulty keeping up with bills Rent arrears or concerns about housing security Stress, anxiety, and low mood Sleep disruption and day-to-day functioning Strain on family and personal relationships In some cases, thoughts of self-harm or suicide For some, these pressures can become overwhelming. Feelings of shame, secrecy, or being 'trapped' often prevent people from speaking openly or seeking support early. Importantly, gambling harm does not have a single 'type' of person. It can affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances. Why We’re Exploring Gambling Harm in Ayrshire As part of a short-term exploratory project, CHAP is working to better understand how gambling harm is experienced within Ayrshire communities - particularly where financial stress, housing insecurity, and mental health challenges overlap. While national research highlights strong links between gambling difficulties, debt, and emotional distress, local insights are limited. Hearing directly from people with lived experience (including the impact on mental health and thoughts of suicide) is essential if services are to respond effectively and compassionately. Do Any of These Feel Familiar? Gambling-related harm can develop gradually and may not always be immediately obvious. Some common experiences include: Gambling more frequently or spending more than intended Trying to recover losses by continuing to gamble Hiding gambling from family or friends Borrowing money or relying on credit Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or preoccupied with money Feeling stuck, hopeless, or under significant pressure Experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide These experiences are more common than many people realise, but support is available. Share Your Experience Anonymously To help us build a clearer picture of local needs, we’re inviting people across Ayrshire who have been affected by gambling to complete a short, anonymous questionnaire. The survey is designed to: Better understand how gambling harm is impacting people locally Identify gaps in support and barriers to seeking help Inform future services and prevention work Participation only takes a couple of minutes and is completely anonymous. You can take part by clicking here . Support Is Available If gambling is affecting your finances, housing, or wellbeing - including causing distress or thoughts of self-harm - you can speak to CHAP for free, confidential, and non-judgemental advice. We can help with issues such as: Debt and financial difficulties Rent arrears and housing concerns Benefit checks and income maximisation Budgeting and financial stability 📞 Call Freephone 030 0002 0002 Specialist gambling support is also available via the GamCare National Gambling Helpline: 📞 0808 8020 133 (24/7) 🌐 www.gamcare.org.uk If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed If gambling, debt, or related pressures are affecting your mental health, you are not alone. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, immediate support is available: Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7) NHS 24 - 111 Mental Health Hub In an emergency, call 999 Gambling harm can affect anyone. Reaching out early can prevent issues from escalating and is a sign of strength, not failure.

You may have seen that recent UK news coverage (including a report highlighted by The Big Issue), has once again shone a light on the strong and damaging link between mental health problems and financial hardship. New research from the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, founded and chaired by TV's 'money expert' Martin Lewis, shows that more than half of people with mental health problems regularly run out of money, often struggling to cover essential living costs. Crucially, the research also reveals that many people who could be helped by income maximisation services - support that helps people access benefits, grants and discounts they are entitled to - are missing out entirely. Income Maximisation: A Vital but Overlooked Lifeline As highlighted by Helen Undy, Chief Executive of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, income maximisation services can be a critical lifeline for people facing financial difficulty. Yet many people have never heard of them, and access to these services is far from equal. The Institute’s research, supported by Barclays, found that income maximisation services are: Overstretched and inconsistently provided across the country Often poorly suited to people with complex needs, including those experiencing mental health difficulties Frequently limited to online tools, rather than personalised support While online benefits calculators can be extremely helpful, they are not always accessible for people dealing with anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges. For many, navigating forms, understanding entitlements and following up claims requires tailored, adviser-led support - something that is simply not available in too many areas. A Postcode Lottery of Support Where someone lives can still determine whether they get meaningful help. The research shows that access to adviser-led income maximisation support varies widely, creating a postcode lottery that leaves many people without the assistance they need. At a recent roundtable launch event in the UK Parliament, policy experts, commissioners and parliamentarians came together to discuss how income maximisation services could be reformed. The event also heard from Rob, an “expert by experience”, who shared how difficult it was to access appropriate support while struggling with his mental health. His testimony underlined just how important it is that services are designed to be truly accessible, compassionate and responsive. Why This Matters for Mental Health Financial stress and mental health problems often reinforce each other. Struggling to make ends meet can worsen anxiety and low mood, while mental health challenges can make it harder to manage money, engage with services or ask for help. Without early and accessible support, people can quickly find themselves in crisis. That’s why the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute is calling on government, commissioners and banks to take action to ensure income maximisation support is available to everyone who needs it - regardless of mental health or location. CHAP Can Help At CHAP, we see these challenges every day. Many of the people who come to us for housing, welfare rights or money advice are also managing mental health difficulties that make dealing with complex systems feel overwhelming. Our fully qualified advisers know that accessing the right benefits, grants or financial support can be life-changing - easing immediate pressure and giving people the breathing space they need to focus on their wellbeing. But as this research shows, too many people are still missing out because support is patchy, hard to access or not designed with mental health in mind. We strongly support calls for better-funded, joined-up and adviser-led income maximisation services. By recognising the clear link between money and mental health, and by investing in accessible support, we can help prevent people from reaching crisis point and ensure no one is left to struggle alone. Get Support If you’re struggling with money, worried about debt, or finding it hard to cope because of financial stress, you don’t have to face it alone. CHAP offers free, confidential and independent advice on welfare benefits, money and debt, housing issues and income maximisation. Our advisers can help you check what you’re entitled to, explore your options and find a way forward at a pace that feels right for you. If you’re supporting someone else and are unsure where to turn, we’re here for you too. Get in touch with CHAP today to speak to an adviser or find out more about our services. Freephone 030 0002 0002

2025 has been another extremely busy year for the team at CHAP, with demand for our services continuing to rise. Over the past year, 2,055 individuals were referred to us for support, highlighting just how vital our services remain within the communities we serve. Alongside this increased demand, the outcomes we have achieved for our clients have reached a record high. In 2025, we secured more than £4.27 million for the people we support - an increase of £1 million compared to our achievements in 2024. This vital income has made a real and lasting difference to the lives of many individuals and families. While the financial impact is significant, the support we provide goes far beyond money alone. Many clients told us that accessing CHAP’s services helped to reduce their stress levels, with 68% reporting a noticeable improvement. Others shared how our support positively influenced their confidence, health, education and employment prospects, as well as helping them to build stronger social connections and enjoy a better overall quality of life.