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Scots told to 'know their rights' amid Storm Floris chaos

Scots told to 'know their rights' amid Storm Floris chaos

Glasgow Times3 days ago
Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national advice services consumeradvice.scot and energyadvice.scot, has released guidance to help people navigate the storm's aftermath and seek compensation.
The storm, which is the first named storm to hit the UK since Storm Eowyn in January, is expected to bring winds of up to 85mph as well as heavy rain.
Advice Direct Scotland's guidance covers possible power cuts, transport disruption and more.
Read more: How to claim a refund for delayed trains as storms expected to cause chaos
For instance, if you lose electricity due to the storm, compensation varies depending on the storm's category.
Storm Floris is expected to be classed as a Category 1 or Category 2 event.
People are advised to call 105 for help during an unplanned power cut to connect with the electricity network operator.
If the storm is Category 2 and you are without power for 48 hours, initial compensation would be £80, with an additional £40 for every six hours without power, up to a maximum of £2000.
For gas cuts, people might be entitled to compensation if the supply is cut off for more than 24 hours, receiving £60 after the first 24 hours and another £60 for each following 24-hour period.
The gas network operator should contact consumers directly, but no compensation will be given if more than 30,000 homes were affected, the consumer caused the cut-off or the operator took reasonable steps to prevent it.
Transport disruptions include cancellations of certain train routes and possible delays for bus passengers.
For customers who are booked with ScotRail and would like a refund due to a service cancellation, you can request one on its refund page, with all administration charges waived.
Ferry companies are unlikely to offer compensation due to adverse weather, as running such services could be dangerous.
To receive more information, contact the ferry operator directly.
Affected customers can seek help in a number of different ways: by calling freephone 0808 164 6000, visiting consumeradvice.scot to take part in a web chat or by emailing.
For information on energy supply issues, energyadvice.scot can be contacted at www.energyadvice.scot or on freephone 0808 196 8660.
Read more: Train disruption warning as loss of power impacts services to Glasgow Central
Conor Forbes, policy director at Advice Direct Scotland, said: "Storm Floris is causing serious disruption across Scotland.
"We recognise the anxiety and uncertainty this brings to many households, and it is important that people know their rights.
"Our teams are on hand to offer free, impartial advice to anyone affected, whether it's power outages, travel cancellations or damage to property.
"We can help people understand their rights, access compensation and find practical support quickly.
"We urge anyone impacted to reach out via our helplines, website or social media channels.
"Whether you're dealing with energy supply issues, insurance claims or service interruptions, we're here to guide you through it.
"Storms like Floris test our resilience, but no one should face these challenges alone.
"Your wellbeing is our priority, and we're committed to helping communities stay safe, informed and supported every step of the way."
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