We hope that you find this short update on our activity useful. For any journalists who are less familiar with the charity Citizens Advice and the work of local bureaux, here are some key facts. More information about the Citizens Advice service can be found in About us.
Update on reports/projects for 2008
Publication of latest stats on debt and other problems
The publication of statistics showing the number and types of problems Citizens Advice Bureaux have dealt with over last 12 months. Likely to show that debt will become the most common problem we deal, overtaking welfare benefits.
Current issues we are engaged in and forthcoming reports
Welfare issues
- The cost of school uniforms and trips and the impact on low-income families
- The proposed body due to succeed the Child Support Agency
- Tax credits and the problems caused by over and underpayments
- Poor service delivery by Jobcentre plus
- Advice services for cancer patients run in partnership with Macmillan
Money, consumer and justice issues
- The behaviour of bailiffs and our campaign for better regulation to ensure bad practice is stamped out
- The future of legal aid and ensuring provision for vulnerable people
- Utility bill increases and the impact on vulnerable and low-income groups
- The future of the post office network and the potential effect of closures
- Increasing the number of free cash machines in low-income communities
- Financial capability projects teaching good financial skills
Advice Week will be 6 - 10 October 2008 when we will release latest statistics on debt, welfare and other problems dealt with during 2007/08.
Key facts about the Citizens Advice service
- The Citizens Advice service is a network of charities helping people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing advice, and by influencing policy makers.
- In 2007/08 local bureaux helped 1.9 million people solve 5.5 million problems. These consisted of problems relating to debt, welfare benefits, employment issues, housing, legal issues, relationships, utilities and many others.
- Last year our www.adviceguide.org.uk website received over 7.3 million unique visits from people looking for information to help them solve their problems.
- There are 426 member bureaux in England and Wales delivering advice in over 3,200 locations.
- Bureaux have a combined workforce of 26,000 of whom 20,000 are volunteers.
- More than 50% of people asked in a MORI poll said that they had used a Citizens Advice Bureau themselves, or had family or friends who had.
Press office contacts
The best way to contact us (media enquiries only) is by telephone:
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