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Social Policy
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28th November 2017 by Manager in Home Content 2, Social Policy
Before You Sign Up!
It’s National Consumer Week. This year our big theme is warning consumers to be very careful when taking on a subscription. Whatever the product or service, everyone should know the risks of: auto-enrolment into an ongoing direct debit (when a fixed-term or trial commitment hides what you’re really taking on) agreeing to a ‘continuing payment authority’ without realising problems […]
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28th November 2017 by Manager in Home Content 2, Self-Employment, Social Policy
Better Self-Employment.
A word from the wise would improve chances of success. Practical advice from people who really know what it’s like to go it alone could make the difference between success and failure for potential local entrepreneurs. That’s the message of Better Self-Employment, a new report from Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead, published 27 November, our District Training […]
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22nd November 2017 by Manager in Home Content 2, Social Policy
National Consumer Week 2017.
Begins ‘Cyber Monday’ 27 November. At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead we’re gearing up for National Consumer Week. This year it comes hot on the heels of Black Friday and begins on the follow-up retail fest, Cyber Monday. Good timing – the big theme of NCW17 is warning consumers to be very careful when taking on a subscription. Whatever […]
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21st November 2017 by Manager in Home Content 2, Social Policy
Energy price plans no one really trusts.
British Gas has set itself a goal. By abolishing standard variable tariffs it describes as “expensive” it will transform the market “and give customers a fairer, simpler deal and lower bills”. Its Consumer CEO claims the goal is within reach, but then in an unfortunate turn of phrase “we can’t get there unless suppliers, the Government, and […]
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17th November 2017 by Manager in Home Content 2, Social Policy
Irresponsible credit.
Most credit card limit increases are uninvited. Credit card companies are pushing credit on cardholders who can’t pay. That’s the worrying message of research published by Citizens Advice. The Bank of England and Financial Conduct Authority have been concerned for some time about growth in unsecured debt, particularly on credit cards, as we reported in the summer. With incomes stagnant and inflation […]
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29th October 2017 by Manager in Home Content 2, Social Policy
Energy: quite a month.
Price cap. Safeguard tariff. Default tariff. Energy price announcements fluttered down like the leaves. Government published a draft bill (1) it says “would see rip-off energy prices capped for millions of households”. Citizens Advice said the bill was “an important step towards an energy market that works better for consumers” (2). Ofgem, the energy regulator, has […]
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23rd October 2017 by Manager in Home Content 2, Social Policy
Finance: 50% ‘potentially vulnerable’.
Financial risk affects 25m people. Large scale research by the Financial Conduct Authority* shows why Citizens Advice is asked to help so many with debt and other money worries. Potentially vulnerable covers “those who may be less able to engage with their finances or with financial services. The reasons for this can vary from low financial resilience to suffering […]
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4th October 2017 by Manager in Home Content 2, Social Policy
Private renting.
How tenants’ homes set back their prospects. ‘Precarity’ is an ugly name for a bad place to find your life in. But one used to telling effect in a newspaper column* from Generation Rent Homeowners enjoy security….. renters face precarity. Just three statistics quoted are enough to explain: In 2015 homeowners with a mortgage paid 20% of average income on housing costs. Private renters paid 43%. In 2015-16 over […]
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3rd October 2017 by Manager in Home Content 2, Social Policy
Energy and loyal customers.
Government wants action. In its clearest statement yet, the government has told regulator Ofgem to act to stop £1.4bn of excessive annual charges. The business secretary told the Financial Times* the overcharging of customers on standard variable tariffs was “completely unacceptable”. And a cross-party group of almost 200 MPs reminded the prime minister of her promise “to cut energy bills for 17m customers”. Meanwhile […]
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22nd September 2017 by Manager in Local News, Social Policy
Housing costs.
Spending on housing benefit has risen from £16.6bn to £25.1bn over the last 20 years (1). The average family spent 6% of their income on housing in the 1960s: now it’s 18% (2). Yet more research showing why we urgently need a new policy. Two new studies make current policy seem terrible value for money. And it would be worse if you could factor in the cost of social […]
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