During the last year Citizens Advice has been inundated with requests from Government for inputs and consultation on many diverse areas of policy. In addition our “In The Red Index” data, which tracks disposable income of our debt clients is now supplied directly into HM Treasury.

• We are part of the Government’s Child Poverty Taskforce advising particularly on the costs of essentials.
• We are assessing the Renters’ Rights Bill to determine where improvements can be made to ensure renters can find affordable and comfortable homes - read more here about the upheaval this has caused for Maurice and his wife Dora. Also take a look at how a lack of insulation is impacting on Paul and his family.
• We welcomed the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill which includes the Fair Work Agency; having rights is no good if you can’t assert those rights - read how Alex struggled to access his wages
• We welcomed the pause in the UCPIP bill which would have penalised hundreds of people with long-term sickness in Basingstoke.
• We are encouraging a joined-up approach across Departments in order to prevent complex pitfalls which have dogged our clients’ lives.