Local campaign Problems made worse by not recognising different circumstances. Our male client is homeless but lives in a tent not accommodation provided by the council or charity. He has mental health problems but no contact with health services. He has no bank account, photo ID or mobile phone. In October he missed a health assessment linked to his […]
Healthwatch Surrey, the group that makes sure everyone has a voice on how the NHS is run, has published a timely report on public attitudes to medical record sharing. It’s timely because all policy-makers accept NHS health and care services must become more integrated to look after us better and more efficiently. The good news is: strong support for records being shared between professionals in different […]
A new report from Citizens Advice shows people think the justice system is an important public service. But many also think it “remote, confusing, intimidating and inaccessible”. Information from Citizens Advice Witness Service and online polling paints an unhappy picture. One in five who have been involved in courts say they came out with a worse opinion of them than […]
Hunger is a growing problem in Britain. Among the causes are family debt and delayed payment of benefits. These are just two findings in a report published today by a group of MPs and peers. As well as analysing the extent and causes of hunger the authors make detailed recommendations on how to tackle the […]
PRESS RELEASE 01 December 2015 Courts closures: local justice at risk. The government has re-stated its plans to close courts in Redhill and Reigate. Confirmation to press ahead came in last week’s Comprehensive Spending Review. Land released by the closures will be sold off for house building. Cases will be transferred to Staines or Guildford. […]
Plans to close local courts and sell off the land for house building will have serious consequences, according to Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead. In its Autumn Statement the government confirmed it will close courts in Redhill and Reigate among others across the country. In future, cases will be heard in Guildford or Staines. Chris […]
Consumer laws change and it makes sense to keep up to date. Our latest New Consumer Laws Questions & Answers covers Consumer Rights Act 2015 Alternative Dispute Resolution Information and Cancellation rights Preventing hidden costs and more…. The 2015 Act makes consumer law clearer and simpler and so does our Q&A paper. Read it now New Consumer […]
The government published its 2015 Comprehensive Spending Review this week. Local government spending across the country will fall by 6.7%* in real terms between now and 2020. The annual amount the government makes available to local councils will be 56% lower by 2020 but councils have new freedoms to raise funds locally. This will mean less money for local […]
If you’re coming to Citizens Advice you can help our Advisers help you by bringing important information with you. Now we’ve written a checklist of the stuff you and your Adviser will need to start sorting things out. What to bring on your Citizens Advice visit Whether it’s a problem with benefits, debt, housing, employment, relationships, consumer issues or something else, our list will […]
Today’s public spending review has been heavily trailed. Unless we’ve been misled more cuts to local council budgets seem certain. Up to now and to their great credit local authorities have continued to support local Citizens Advice. They wisely see it as investing in the community. Freely available advice helps solve problems that in the longer run would lead to big extra costs*. This week Surrey County Council […]