Pimlico Plumber shows why change is needed. The recently reported Pimlico Plumber’s case highlighted a form of exploitation that has become common in the catering and service sector, construction and many other areas using relatively low paid staff in a competitive economy. It’s been called Bogus-Self Employment. The Job Offer There is a job advertised. […]
Taking control – Report and Recommendations. Citizens Advice and 6 other charities report this week (1) that some bailiffs are still exceeding their powers when trying to recover debts. Laws reformed as recently as 2014 should have provided debtors with greater protection from aggressive bailiffs. Citizens Advice chief executive, Gillian Guy, said: “Harsh tactics by bailiffs can […]
Yes, in the round. Changes to self-employed NICs were always going to be controversial. As the dust settles ministers may be seen aiming in the right direction. That’s the view of the Citizens Advice advocacy and campaigns team. They’re pointing to policy work on parental leave, pensions, bogus self-employment and a review of modern employment practices (including a better definition of self-employment). Helping self-employed families: What […]
Problems of families on low incomes. The chancellor addressed a lot of issues facing the country. Many observers thought the problems of poor families facing benefit cuts wasn’t among them. At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead many people who ask for advice are in this group. Low income is often linked to the most common problems – benefits uncertainty, debt. housing insecurity. A respected housing report released on Budget day underscores the point. […]
Action against the small-print merchants. Many consumers are losing out from not realising they are paying a regular subscription they think has come to an end. It’s all too easy to skip the small print. But that can allow suppliers to extend a contract through a ‘continuous payment authority’. And last year Citizens Advice reported up to 2 million people […]
CAB continues to work for best outcomes. The Redhill and Reigate Courts will close on 23 March. Local people facing housing possession orders because of rent or mortgage arrears will then have to attend court in Guildford, Staines or Crawley. For 15 years the Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead court desk has helped these defendants […]
Harsh debt collection. Citizens Advice has reported worrying activity by doorstep lenders who earn commission on collecting repayments. It’s estimated that 1.3 million people use these loans, the average amount borrowed being £500. Evidence submitted to the Financial Conduct Authority shows vulnerable people being harassed into making payments they can ill afford. In some cases the practice is linked […]
Prepayment cap should be first step. Ofgem, the energy regulator, has announced a prepayment meter price cap effective in April. Typical customers should save around £80 a year. Good news that will stop some of the poorest households paying more than they should. But not enough to stop the majority of energy customers paying more than they should. As Citizens Advice points out, the […]
HMRC to review thousands of tax credit cases. The government has accepted the findings of a critical report by MPs* into the failures of a company contracted by HMRC to improve the tax credit system and reduce fraud. Concentrix was shown to have wrongly reduced or stopped the benefits of thousands of claimants. The company was stripped of the contract […]
Conservative Councillors hear of growing advice need. In the past year we have seen a marked increase in clients asking Citizens Advice for advice on welfare benefits and how to appeal against earlier decisions. This was up for discussion when our District Manager, Elaine Parr, attended the borough Conservative Committee chaired by Cllr Julian Ellacott on 9 January. Main cause of the rise is loss of Surrey County Council Getwise Funding. The scheme offered residents […]