Help with the costs of working from home will not be enough over the winter Citizens Advice has warned.

Tens of thousands of people are working from home, if they are able to, under Scottish Government advice during the coronavirus pandemic.

Workers are able to claim tax relief towards costs like electricity but it is not considered enough especially for people on low incomes.

While working from home, people can claim between £1.20 a week (£62 a year) if they are a basic rate taxpayer or £2.40 a week (£104 a year).

But Citizens Advice Scotland say this is a fraction of the true costs incurred.

They point to an estimate by Energy Helpline, that heating costs will increase by as much as £100 over the winter for those working full time from home.

Kate Morrison, CAS’s Markets spokesperson said: “Tax relief is available for those who have been working from home over the last six months who might start to see their energy bills spike as temperatures drop.

“You can apply now for tax relief in this tax year, even if you do not know how much longer you will be working from home. HMRC will then update your tax code to apply the tax relief for the whole of this tax year, even if you go back to your workplace before 6 April 2021.

“But ultimately the current tax relief available is nowhere near enough for those on low incomes.”

Citizens Advice said that people on low pay are struggling already with costs and said the Chancellor had to make changes to the system and ensure more help was available for people to pay bills.

Ms Morrison said: “We are concerned that this relief will not help off-set the bill shocks they are set to face. People on lower incomes might only just be able to pay for their household expenses at the moment and an energy bill increase could tip them over into fuel debt.

“With the situation unlikely to improve any time soon, we’re calling on the Chancellor to review the relief available and increase it for those on low incomes as we move into winter and the next year.”

Energy Helpline said: “Our research follows earlier research we conducted, which unearthed the fact many were already in debt with their energy supplier following increased energy use at home since the lockdown began in March.

“We have predicted that consumers could already be in debt by up to £94. This comes at a time when most consumers would normally be in credit going into the winter.