Cost of living good news (if only)
Changes in inflation and interest rates affect everyone, but low- and middle-income people most.
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.
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.
Investment scams: FCA gives consumer self-help more pizazz
The financial regulator is adding Augmented Reality to its consumer self-help campaign.
Check if something is an energy scam
Energy scams have risen for obvious reasons (clue: £££). Criminals have different ways of getting hold of personal information or bank details.
‘Fairer, warmer, cheaper’ proposals could transform energy price policy
New report: existing policy is 'inadequate for era of high energy prices'.
Citizens Advice briefing: a new debt crisis and ‘housing emergency’
We could be facing a cost-of-living AND debt crisis. Housing including sky- rocketing rents is a critical issue.
Freeze on Local Housing Allowance risks private rent debt crisis
Next month’s Budget should reset Local Housing Allowance (LHA) to take account of rising private rents. Continuing the freeze risks causing a private rental debt crisis.
CAEE Research & Campaigns Team (3 minutes)
‘Costly differences’ – how the cost of living is affecting people with a disability
In 2022 people with a disability were the largest group of CAEE clients needing help to sort out their benefits.
Cost of living crisis: mixed news about pensions and mortgages
We will continue do everything possible to help people in difficulty and use our data to alert ministers and the public to the need for more support.
Support measures ‘not enough to get people through’ – Citizens Advice network
Short-term impact outstripped by combined pressures of sky-high bills and freezing weather.
Households need crisis support in face of ‘desperate choices’. Research & Campaigns Team.
New local and national research reveals problems facing low-income and indebted households wherever they are.
Banks and energy firms must recognise needs of vulnerable customers as cost of living soars
We want essential service firms to deal more responsibly with vulnerable customers. So do their regulators.
Autumn Statement: only long-term solutions will ensure no one is left behind
The chancellor listened but many will still miss out, People on average pay may not be safe.
It’s National Consumer Week… So how are you doing?
Think you're a savvy shopper?? Take our quiz today - scams, labels, refunds lost goods....
Energy price change means ‘huge uncertainty’ for low-income families
Citizens Advice is doubling down on its call for government action to protect families from hardship. (2 minutes)
Citizens Advice is calling on government to protect most vulnerable
We're building up our service here and helping the CA campaign to protect the vulnerable everywhere.
We’re asking the government to uprate benefits in line with inflation
A cap on the unit price of energy may not be enough for people who can't afford to top up their meters.
Parking: digital payment is convenient but a big problem for some citizens
Our council is right to retain traditional payment methods alongside the mobile app.
Energy bills – the scale of help must match the scale of the crisis
At local and national level Citizens Advice is playing a vital part in helping families manage a frightening change in their finances.
Cost of living crisis – Citizens Advice steps up
At national and local level Citizens Advice is improving its information about cost of living issues.
Benefit delays “hurting some of our most vulnerable and ill people”
This post is part of a Citizens Advice policy campaign on behalf of people living with disability.
The cost of renting is still rising (and don’t mention affordability)
Citizens Advice helps clients face problems and organisations improve policy. Here is part of a policy campaign about housing.
Lone-parent families and relative child poverty
Children in lone-parent households are twice as likely to be growing up in relative poverty.
Rent reform promises more security
For years the law has allowed landlords to force tenants out without giving a reason.
Rail tickets online only will exclude many older people
Plans to close all ticket offices revealed at the weekend will "worry those who struggle with digital services or do now have a smartphone"
Summer campaign to fight cost of living fraud
CAEE advisers are helping more local people who have been targeted as the cost-of-living crisis takes hold.
Scams Awareness Campaign. How to stop the fraudsters.
5 Top Tips to avoid falling victim to the the most common scams.
Scams Awareness Fortnight: 13-26 June
We're supporting Scams Awareness Fortnight, a campaign to stop people becoming victims of cost of living fraud.
It’s National Numeracy Day!
Confidence with numbers links to all our 2022 campaigns. We're delighted to support the today's National Numeracy conversation.
More scam victims are young
16 to 34s more likely to fall victim to text and call scams than over-55s.
Digital exclusion can be a barrier to housing
Online letting means checking regularly to be in with a chance.
£15bn of means-tested benefits going unclaimed
'Deeply worrying' as many households face 'a cost of living catastrophe'. (FT)
Good advice, health and the cost of living crisis
Local need for crisis support grew in the second half of 2021-22.
Mobile but not on the move. Digital exclusion and travel.
Two local clients were held up by lack of digital skills.
Great British Rail Sale. Online skills required?
Will people without access to the internet be able to take advantage of the Spring offer?
Digital exclusion makes a wide range of problems worse
When the whole world seems to live online, it's easy to feel left-behind.
House of Lords Fraud Act Review
Lords ask if existing legislation is fit for purpose.
Digital exclusion campaign
Our campaign aims to help families who have difficulty with computers and the internet.
Universal credit, council tax – a client story
A lot of our clients need help to use the internet for normal household tasks
EEBC Housing and Community
The council's housing team describes their dual focus as people in need and working in partnership.
Chancellor’s Spring Statement
We hope Mr Sunak will help prevent a serious cost of living crisis. 23 March 2022