Supply not affected. The news that GB Energy Supply has gone out of business shouldn’t worry the company’s customers. The energy regulator Ofgem is finding a new supplier who will contact them in due course. Customers should take a reading of their gas and electricity meters for the new supplier. Citizens Advice is working with Ofgem to make sure […]
Campaign success for private renters. The chancellor’s decision to ban letting agents’ fees is good news for private renters. The average additional cost per letting is £337, which in all fairness should be paid by the landlord, will in due course be paid by the landlord. Good news too for Citizens Advice. We have campaigned […]
Smart meter benefits cut. The government has revised down its estimates of energy price reductions from installing smart meters. Originally (2014) the expected saving for combined gas and electricity was £26. Now it’s £11. The news comes in a detailed cost-benefit analysis issued 10/11/16 and explained for us by the Sunday Times (£/register). This is embarrassing. The government, regulators and suppliers are under pressure to correct overcharging […]
Minister floats self-employed auto-enrolment. The government is planning a review of pensions in 2017. The minister responsible, Richard Harrington, reported in the Financial Times, says bringing self-employed people into the auto-enrolment system should be on the agenda. Self-employed workers would pay extra national insurance contributions and the money used to buy private ‘auto-enrolment’ pensions. Mr Harrington said: “The self-employed aren’t all people […]
Homelessness today. Three people. Three situations. One problem, for them and society. That was After Cathy (15/11/16), a Radio 4 documentary and useful homage to the famous Ken Loach film now 50 years old. Stewart, Bernard and Zahra told their own stories in phone diaries. The producers provided context but never dimmed the spotlight on the principals’ hopes and fears. At Citizens Advice Reigate and Banstead our work makes […]
Reforms not enough. Energy suppliers are working on reforms required by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Ofgem to protect customers from overcharging. They need to. The CMA reports the annual rip-off is £1.4 billion. But already the reforms look too timid and too late. The Sun (1) claims to have seen a secret industry […]
Resolution Foundation: restore work allowances. Working families on low-to-middle income have not fared well for years. In advice to the chancellor* ahead of the Autumn Statement (23 November) Resolution Foundation points out that their average incomes were no higher in 2014-15 than 2004-05. The prime minister says her government will work for everyone. Resolution shows that […]
Consultation on 2 child limitation. As set out in the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 the government will limit child tax credit and the child element of universal credit to 2 children from 2017. There will be exceptions however. The Department of Work and Pensions and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs have now jointly […]
Disability benefits reform. “More personalised” work capability assessments are promised by work and pensions secretary Damian Green. The reform is expected in a DWP Green Paper along with other measures to help people with disabilities into work. The announcement is a welcome response to campaigning by Citizens Advice and others. At CA Reigate & Banstead we’ve strongly backed the call for change. In […]
Redhill. At a meeting this week volunteer advisers at Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead identified notable issues raised with the bureau this month. Courts in the borough will close their doors for the last time in March. But already people facing eviction are required to travel to their hearing in Guildford – for some a difficult and expensive journey. The risk of eviction […]