South West Fife cost of living support information

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For useful information, advice, help with benefits, energy bills and food go to our.fife.scot/gethelp

Unable to access information online? Call our Community Support Line 0800 952 0330 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

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To help with the rising cost of living there's a range of support in the local area.

• Foodbanks and community cafés
• Cafe Inc
• Warm Spaces
• Community Job Clubs

Foodbanks and community cafés

Warm Welcome venues/ Community Assistance

Warm Welcome venues will be established in various venues and settings across the area which are designed to offer safe, warm places for people in our communities to spend time, participate in activities and access support.

Useful support links

Unable to access information online? Call our Community Support Line 0800 952 0330 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

Increase your income

• Benefits for carers

  You may be eligible for carer related benefits if you, the person you care for and the type of care you provide meets certain criteria.
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/topics/family/benefits-for-carers

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• Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods

  How to apply for the School Age Payment, Early Learning Payment, Pregnancy and Baby Payment and a prepaid card to buy healthy food.
  https://www.mygov.scot/browse/benefits/best-start

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• Debt advice

  Advice you need to make the right choices, including help to deal with your debt problems and get your finances back in shape
  https://moneyadvice.cabfife.org.uk/

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• Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

  A weekly payment of £30 for young people (16-25) from low income families who are continuing in higher or further education
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/education2/schools-in-fife/funding/educational-maintenance-allowance

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• Free School Meals and School Clothing Grants

  We can provide free school meals and a school clothing grant if you are on a low income.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/education2/schools-in-fife/free-school-meals-and-school-clothing-grants

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• Help with your Council Tax

  Discover a range of reductions, exemptions and discounts you might be entitled to
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/topics/income/help-with-your-council-tax-and-rent

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• Housing Benefit, Discretionary Housing Payment and Benefit Cap

  Criteria and how to apply for help with housing costs if you are a tenant.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/housing/housing-benefit

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• Pension Credit

  You could get extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income: even if you have savings or own your own home.
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/pensioncredit/_nocache

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• Rent Support Fund

  The council have allocated £1 million to support council tenants who pay rent charges. These funds will give tenants, who qualify, a one-off payment of £75 into their rent account.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/housing/council-housing/rent/rent-support-fund

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• Scottish Child Payment

  Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting your family.
  https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment

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• Support with mortgage payments

  Help is available to some homeowners through the Government's Support for Mortgage Interest scheme
  https://www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest

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• Tax free childcare

  If you use childcare, paying your approved provider via the Tax Free Childcare scheme can save you money.
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/childcare

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• Universal Credit

  Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.
  https://www.cas.org.uk/helptoclaim

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• Welfare support sessions

  In person support with benefit checks and crisis grant applications
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/benefits-and-money-advice/community-job-clubs

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• Young Carer Grant

  Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment of £359.65 for young carers in Scotland aged 16, 17 or 18 years old.
  https://www.mygov.scot/young-carer-grant

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Support with food

• Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods

  How to apply for the School Age Payment, Early Learning Payment, Pregnancy and Baby Payment and a prepaid card to buy healthy food.
  https://www.mygov.scot/browse/benefits/best-start

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• Café Inc

  Cafe Inc is a free lunch club for children and young people during the school holidays.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/benefits-and-money-advice/food-banks/cafe-inc

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• Foodbanks and Community Food Provision

  Help is available to provide short term access to emergency food and support for people experiencing a crisis.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/benefits-and-money-advice/food-banks

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• Free School Meals and School Clothing Grants

  We can provide free school meals and a school clothing grant if you are on a low income.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/education2/schools-in-fife/free-school-meals-and-school-clothing-grants

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• Free School Meals for P1-5

  All children in primary one to primary five are entitled to free school meals, saving over £450 a year
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/education2/schools-in-fife/school-meals/primary-school-meals

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Support for your home

• Furnishing your home

  You may qualify for help with buying carpets and white goods for your home
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/topics/income/help-with-furnishing-your-home

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• Heating your home

  Whatever your housing situation, we have routes to help with the rising costs of fuel
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/topics/income/do-you-need-help-to-heat-your-home

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• Help with your Council Tax & rent

  Check if you are eligible for benefits, discounts or exemptions
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/topics/income/help-with-your-council-tax-and-rent

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• Homelessness and Prevention

  We're committed to helping anyone who finds themselves without a home, for any reason. If you find yourself in this situation, please talk to us.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/housing/homelessness-and-prevention

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• Rent Support Fund

  The council have allocated £1 million to support council tenants who pay rent charges. These funds will give tenants, who qualify, a one-off payment of £75 into their rent account.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/housing/council-housing/rent/rent-support-fund

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• Short term housing support

  Help is available to support you with the routines and responsibilities of maintaining your tenancy
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/housing/housing-options/short-term-housing-support

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• Support with mortgage payments

  Help is available to some homeowners through the Government's Support for Mortgage Interest scheme
  https://www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest

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• Ways to reduce energy costs

  Making your home as energy efficient as possible will reduce the amount of energy that you need to keep your home warm.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/benefits-and-money-advice/heating-advice/reducing-energy-use

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Support with heating and utility costs

• Cosy Kingdom

  Cosy Kingdom is a free and impartial energy and debt advice service available to all tenants and homeowners across Fife.
  https://www.cosykingdom.org.uk/

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• Discounts for fuel bills

  A range of fuel support payments that could help with the cost of heating your home.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/benefits-and-money-advice/heating-advice/discounts-for-fuel-bills

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• Fuel support for Council Tenants

  Support for Fife Council tenants who are finding themselves in debt and struggling to pay fuel bills
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/housing/council-housing/tenancy-advice/heating-advice-for-tenants

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• Help with your TV Licence

  Find out more about the Simple Payment Plan for those struggling to pay their TV Licence.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/welfare,-benefits-and-money-advice/help-with-your-tv-licence

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• Priority Services Register

  The Priority Services Register is a free support service that makes sure extra help is available to people in vulnerable situations.
  https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-advice-households/join-your-suppliers-priority-services-register

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• Social Tariffs: Cheaper broadband and phone packages

  Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband.
  https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-tariffs

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• Warm Welcome locations

  Places to go in your community to meet up with people and stay warm
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/warmwelcome

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• Ways to reduce energy costs

  Making your home as energy efficient as possible will reduce the amount of energy that you need to keep your home warm.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/benefits-and-money-advice/heating-advice/reducing-energy-use

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• Winter Fuel Payment & Pension Age Winter Heating Payment

  If you were born before 23 September 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025.
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/topics/support-with-heating-and-utility-costs/winter-fuel-payment

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Support with your Council Tax and Rent

• Council Tax Discounts and Exemptions

  Discounts can apply for single people, students, carers, apprentices, school leavers, care leavers and hospitalised, disabled or severely mentally impaired people.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/housing/council-tax/council-tax-discounts-and-exemptions

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• Council Tax Reduction

  Council Tax Reduction is a means tested entitlement available to people who are responsible for paying council tax.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/housing/council-tax/council-tax-reduction

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• Discretionary Housing Payment

  A Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is a short term payment awarded to people who need help paying their rent.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/housing/housing-benefit/discretionary-housing-payment

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• Rent Support Fund

  The council have allocated £1 million to support council tenants who pay rent charges. These funds will give tenants, who qualify, a one-off payment of £75 into their rent account.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/housing/council-housing/rent/rent-support-fund

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• Support with rent

  If you’re struggling to pay your rent, please get in touch. We will discuss the situation and explain all the options available to you.
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/topics/housing/support-with-your-rent

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• Support with your Council Tax

  If you're struggling to pay your council tax, please get in touch. We will discuss the situation and explain all the options available to you.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/services/form-pages/get-in-touch-with-the-council-tax-team

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Support for your family

• Benefits for carers

  You may be eligible for carer related benefits if you, the person you care for and the type of care you provide meets certain criteria.
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/topics/family/benefits-for-carers

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• Café Inc

  Cafe Inc is a free lunch club for children and young people during the school holidays.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/benefits-and-money-advice/food-banks/cafe-inc

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• Debt advice

  Advice you need to make the right choices, including help to deal with your debt problems and get your finances back in shape
  https://moneyadvice.cabfife.org.uk/

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• Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

  A weekly payment of £30 for young people (16-25) from low income families who are continuing in higher or further education
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/education2/schools-in-fife/funding/educational-maintenance-allowance

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• Free School Meals and School Clothing Grants

  We can provide free school meals and a school clothing grant if you are on a low income.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/education2/schools-in-fife/free-school-meals-and-school-clothing-grants

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• Free School Meals for P1-5

  All children in primary one to primary five are entitled to free school meals, saving over £450 a year
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/education2/schools-in-fife/school-meals/primary-school-meals

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• MyFife National Entitlement Card (NEC)

  Your MyFife card makes it easy to access a range of public services and facilities with only one card.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/roads,-travel-and-parking/myfife-national-entitlement-card

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• Scottish Child Payment

  Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting your family.
  https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment

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• Scottish Welfare Fund - Community Care Grant

  Support to help vulnerable people set up home, or continue to live independently within their community.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/benefits-and-money-advice/crisis-and-community-care-grants

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• Scottish Welfare Fund - Crisis Grant

  Crisis grants can help keep you and your family safe from harm in a one-off crisis, such as flood or fire or unexpected money shortage
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/benefits-and-money-advice/crisis-and-community-care-grants

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• Support with mortgage payments

  Help is available to some homeowners through the Government's Support for Mortgage Interest scheme
  https://www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest

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• Tax free childcare

  If you use childcare, paying your approved provider via the Tax Free Childcare scheme can save you money.
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/childcare

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• Warm Welcome locations

  Places to go in your community to meet up with people and stay warm
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/warmwelcome

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• Welfare support sessions

  In person support with benefit checks and crisis grant applications
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/benefits-and-money-advice/community-job-clubs

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• Young Carer Grant

  Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment of £359.65 for young carers in Scotland aged 16, 17 or 18 years old.
  https://www.mygov.scot/young-carer-grant

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• Young Person’s Free Bus Travel

  Free bus travel throughout Scotland for young people aged 5-21
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/roads,-travel-and-parking/myfife-national-entitlement-card/young-persons-free-bus-travel

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Support with transport costs

• Community transport

  Fife Council can give advice and information about community transport schemes throughout Fife, including advice on who to contact for help in arranging transport for people with reduced mobility.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/roads,-travel-and-parking/community-transport

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• MyFife National Entitlement Card (NEC)

  Your MyFife card makes it easy to access a range of public services and facilities with only one card.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/roads,-travel-and-parking/myfife-national-entitlement-card

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• School Transport

  Check your entitlement to transport to your catchment school.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/education2/schools-in-fife/school-transport

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• Travel costs to and from a hospital or clinic

  You can get the costs of essential travel to and from NHS treatment paid is certain circumstances.
  https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/health/help-with-health-costs/help-with-costs/#h-travel-costs-to-and-from-the-hospital-or-clinic

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• Young Person’s Free Bus Travel

  Free bus travel throughout Scotland for young people aged 5-21
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/roads,-travel-and-parking/myfife-national-entitlement-card/young-persons-free-bus-travel

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Supporting your health

• Access Therapies Fife

  Access Therapies Fife is part of Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership’s Psychology Service. We are an NHS service offering a range of free psychological therapies to adults in Fife.
  https://www.accesstherapiesfife.scot.nhs.uk/

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• Café Inc

  Cafe Inc is a free lunch club for children and young people during the school holidays.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/benefits-and-money-advice/food-banks/cafe-inc

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• Feed your mind podcast

  This podcast series from NHS Fife is a little burst of information on topics addressing food as a player in overall wellbeing and mental health.
  https://www.nhsfife.org/services/all-services/nutrition-and-clinical-dietetics/feed-your-mind-podcast/

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• Fifestyle Concession and Access Card

  Fifestyle is our Concession Card Scheme, offering families and individuals discounts to various Fife Council services.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/benefits-and-money-advice/fifestyle-concession-and-access-card

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• Help with health costs

  Most NHS treatment is free, including all prescriptions, but there are some things you might be charged for.
  https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/health/help-with-health-costs/help-with-costs/

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• Local Health Services

  Find your nearest GP, dentist, pharmacy or optician using Scotland's services directory from NHS Inform.
  https://www.nhsfife.org/services/find-your-nearest/

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• Moodcafé

  Information and resources to help you understand and improve your mental health.
  https://www.moodcafe.co.uk/

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• On Your Doorstep

  Find groups and organisations that you can join or make contact within your Community.
  https://www.onyourdoorstepfife.org/

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• Period Products

  We currently provide online access to free sanitary products. This includes reusable products.
  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/benefits-and-money-advice/period-poverty

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• Quit Your Way - Fife Stop Smoking Service

  Want to stop smoking but don't know where to start - help is at hand!
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/topics/health/quit-your-way-fife-stop-smoking-service

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• Sexual Health

  Information, advice and services relating to your sexual health and wellbeing inc. free condoms
  https://www.nhsfife.org/services/all-services/sexual-health/

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• SHOUT

  Free and confidential mental health support to anyone in distress.
  https://www.nhsfife.org/shout/

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• The Well

  The Well is a place where you can drop-in, both in your community and online for information and advice to help you stay well and independent.
  https://www.fifehealthandsocialcare.org/your-community/the-well

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• Warm Welcome locations

  Places to go in your community to meet up with people and stay warm
  https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/warmwelcome

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Support for businesses

• Business Gateway Fife

  Business Gateway Fife may be able to provide you with support through their Net Zero Transition Fund.
  https://www.businessgatewayfife.com/

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• Climate Friendly Businesses

  Support to help identify cost savings and environmental improvement opportunities for your business
  https://climateactionfife.org.uk/business/

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• Reduce the cost of running your business

  FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot has links to funding, general advice on running your business, and other support tailored to your needs.
  https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/cost-of-doing-business

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