Housing policy ‘must surely be centre-stage’ in election manifestos
Owners in the borough outnumber renters 3 to 1 but we help far more renters with housing and other issues.
Research & Campaigns
Our work with clients gives us a wealth of real time evidence about local problems. This enables us to spot harmful policies or practice, help organisations improve, and support campaigns to influence national government.
Hard-pressed private tenants face continuing rent rises
The cost of private renting in Epsom & Ewell is forecast to go on rising.
Local service standards affect everyone’s quality of life
Local service standards really matter to all local people but some more than others.
Jeremy Hunt announces a temporary fix for emergency family support
The chancellor extended the Household Support Fund for a further 6 months as part of the Spring Budget.
‘Alarm bells for politicians’ in latest Data Insights
"Alarm bells should be ringing with politicians". The stark message from our latest Data Insights briefing.
Campaign reflections and looking forward to 2024-25
We've posted reflections on our 2023-24 campaigns with thinking about the new campaign year 2024-25.
Costly differences made life harder for people with a disability
Costly differences. Local services under threat hit vulnerable people hardest. Just like essentials price inflation.
Health policy expert Matthew Swindells is new Citizens Advice national Chair
We welcome Matthew Swindells as national Chair. Health policy really matters to so many clients in the current crisis.
Online access: vulnerable excluded at risk of second class citizenship
Digital exclusion is putting vulnerable and older people at risk of becoming second class citizens.
Every family is different but essentials inflation hits worst-off hardest
For many local people we helped in 2023 price inflation in essentials caused serious debt problems.
Great British Rail Sale (open to all we hope)
The Great Rail Sale. We hope offers are open to everyone, not just everyone who can order online.
Household budgets, cost of living, election: Data Insights Latest
New blog reporting and recommending the latest cost-of-living briefing with election guru Professor Sir John Curtice.
Housing costs to cause ‘pincer movement for foreseeable future’
The combination of ever-higher housing costs and dearer essentials will make 2024 difficult for many families.
Citizens Advice Election Year Insights Briefing – Your invitation
Election Year Briefing 18 January. With the UK's most respected election analyst, Professor Sir John Curtice.
Hopes and fears: latest price changes may flatter to deceive
Hopes and fears have dominated Citizens Advice cost–of-living campaigns othroughout 2023. They rise and fall with official statistics and our own national and local data.
Research & Campaigns Team, Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. (2-minute read)
Martin Lewis – Money Saving Expert and man of ideas
Martin Lewis was his plain-speaking self when he joined the latest CA cost-of-living briefing.
Banking hubs can solve problem of mass branch closures.
Banking hubs offer a practical solution to a growing problem in financial services.
Cost crisis 2023 meant a year of campaigning
High demand for advice and campaigns for mitigation of troubles facing so many.
Hey Elf, you’re a cute agent for a big social and economic issue
The Elf on the shelf has reminders about how to save energy and money all round the house.
Two Cheers, Chancellor. Now our clients need long-term solutions
Two of our three asks got positive answers in the Autumn Statement. Good, but there's more to do.
Black Friday 2023 – smaller but if anything more dangerous
Black Friday and Cyber Monday could prove even more dangerous for the unwary shopper.
Chancellor’s Autumn Statement must ‘pull all the levers to help’ families in crisis
The new Citizens Advice dataset reveals no let-up for growing numbers of clients.
Cash payments ROSE in September for the first time in a decade.
Cash makes it easier o keep track of spending - essential if you're living on a tight budget.
Chronic ill-health or disability are problems for many of our local clients
By Anna Tickle, Research & Campaigns Volunteer
Autumn Statement must index-link benefits and unfreeze housing benefit.
We're calling on government to uprate benefits in line with inflation and unfreeze Local Housing Allowance.
Energy prices are forcing people into debt with demand for advice at record levels.
In the year to March 2023 we saw fuel debt issues almost double on the previous year.
Rents are unsustainable and driving an inexorable rise in homelessness
Rising rents and homelessness mean councils face budget-busting costs of statutory housing responsibilities.
Missing digital skills? Local support IS available.
Not knowing how to use the internet or not having access are huge problems.
Scrapping net zero targets could cost private renters billions
Abandoning changes to EPC standards will have most impact on those already struggling.
‘Drip pricing’ is a disgraceful way to raise consumers’ costs
You’re buying a flight or cinema ticket. Right before finalising payment there's a booking fee....Arrgh
To service provider management: “We’re helping stop digital exclusion, are you?”
No firm or provider suffers from a reputation for caring.
The rising cost of high rents (it’s not all financial)
“The rising cost of high rents is damaging household finances but also health, security, family life and the economy. With the cost-of-living crisis stretching pockets, high rents going even higher can be the final straw. ”
Anna Tickle is a Research & Campaigns Volunteer at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. (4 minute read)
Fixing cost and debt worries needs more than ‘sticking-plaster solutions’
Ministers should consider more ways of regulating supply of essential home services.
Household Support Fund now helping most vulnerable
The aim is relief for families struggling to afford essentials - food, clothing, utilities, housing costs.
Understanding young people and the ‘cozzie livs’.
For over a year the ‘cost of living crisis’ has dominated in all media. It became so familiar that younger people gave it a nickname, the ‘cozzie livs’. (4-minute read)
Chloe May and Anna Tickle are Research and Campaigns Volunteers at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell.
Energy bills are still the biggest worry for families and individuals
It’s already clear some households will struggle with energy bills this winter.
Growing concern about fast track to cashless society
Summer media signposts progress for campaigns to stop digital exclusion.
Watchdog’s new duty for banks: ensure good outcomes for customers
Good outcomes for customers – that is now the Financial Conduct Authority’s aim in regulating banks and other service providers. People should expect to be treated well.
Chloe May (pictured) and Anna Tickle are Research and Campaigns Volunteers at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell.
Private renting is becoming more difficult by the day
A call for policy change is growing louder as evidence of a worse crisis mounts.
Cost of living good news (if only)
Changes in inflation and interest rates affect everyone, but low- and middle-income people most.
Rail leaders should think again about shutting station ticket offices
Plans to close most ticket offices: it's not hard to see why opposition has grown. Research and Campaigns team.
Housing support for private renters isn’t working
We're asking the government to recognise the crisis facing many households in privately rented homes.
‘Home Advantage’ makes clear case for investment in energy efficiency
Why government must commit to improving the energy efficiency of the nation's homes. Research & Campaigns Team (3 minutes)
Peers call for new strategy to tackle digital exclusion
We welcome and support the Lords' call for a new strategy. Research and Campaigns Team (3 mins)
People in poor health are struggling more than others with the cost of living
The cost-of-living crisis is not inflicting pain equally.
Crunched, squeezed, hit for 6 – the crisis goes on
Clichés of crisis economics don’t misrepresent the feelings of many CAEE clients or millions of others.
Renters reform bill is here but will it really solve home insecurity?
Unfortunately there are already doubts about what it will achieve in practice.
Sunnybank Trust taught us so much about learning disability – and ourselves!
We learned more about our own clients and our own assumptions.
Cost of living: was this the month the tide turned? Unfortunately…
Energy prices were certain to fall. They made lower general inflation inevitable.
Policy help must target low-income families but there’s increasing pain in the middle too
Evidence is mounting for more recognition of families previously thought able to manage.
‘Our bleakest-ever start to the year’ Citizens Advice May cost of living briefing
More people needing help. More food bank referrals. More prepayment meter problems.
Improving life for housing association tenants – with decent floors
Typically people move into empty housing association property without carpets.
Banking hubs can help people retain access to cash and independence
Online and mobile banking have made cash increasingly irrelevant for many.
Cost of living latest: is April ‘the cruellest month’?
Continuing high prices mean Spring is still on hold for the cost of living.
Personal Independence Payment – the experience of clients and advisers
The breadth of support needed reflects clients' situations and shows the extent of current problems.
Rental Health: our summary of a powerful series on BBC radio (2/2)
The BBC travelled far and wide in search of solutions.
Our local campaigns for clients in 2023-24
As the 2023-24 business year begins, we’re launching a new programme of local campaigns for clients.
‘Millions stuck in parking app hell’ claim as car parks move to digital payment
Worries about the disappearance of cash and credit card payment for car parking is front page news today.
Citizens Advice March briefing: 2023 could leave a real legacy of debt
Policymakers always show interest in Citizens Advice. On this occasion they found it easier than usual.
Cost of living: this crisis is far from over
Comment. The February inflation announcement apparently shocked everyone except people who buy food and drinks.