Take a minute, change a life. The message of 2017 World Suicide Prevention Day, 10th September. At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead we’re keen to do whatever we can to help. One way is to encourage everyone to learn a little more about helping themselves or others in difficulty. Three quarters of those who take their own lives are men. So a […]
Call to protect vulnerable AND loyal customers. Citizens Advice is calling for change in energy price policy. In spite of a fall in wholesale costs this week’s British Gas price rise is just one more illustration that the energy supply market isn’t working. In this market it’s not surprising that CA and others have focused on the problems of vulnerable customers. It’s true the government and companies have […]
How we’re helping in housing, Universal Credit, social policy campaigns, and as proud Healthwatch partner. July CARBS
New protocol launched by Citizens Advice and local authorities. The number of householders falling behind with council tax payments has risen to a worrying level. Helping them get back on track is in everyone’s interests. Which is why Citizens Advice and the Local Government Association have jointly launched a new Council Tax Protocol. By setting out good practice at each […]
Healthwatch Surrey is celebrating people who have helped improve health and social care by speaking up about their own experience. Their summer campaign It Starts With You aims to get more people helping the NHS and all of us by telling Healthwatch about the service they or a family member received. The team wants to hear from as many people as possible about what works, […]
Our evidence shows pause is essential. Citizens Advice is calling for a delay in the roll-out of Universal Credit planned for October. Clients’ experience reported by local Citizens Advice across the country shows the benefit still causing problems. UC hasn’t yet been fully implemented in Surrey. But here at CA Reigate & Banstead we can already confirm the national picture. Local clients have […]
‘Time-bomb’ or ‘So far so good’? Whichever, independent guidance and support must be available. In May the mortgage industry announced* that 1.9m interest-only mortgages were outstanding at end 2016. This was a fifth of all mortgages and a big reduction on 2012 when the number was 3.2m, “equivalent to a third of total residential mortgage stock”. This week Mail Online used** the same […]
Taylor Review: ideas to improve work and social justice. The government-commissioned independent review* of modern working practices has quickly provoked a lot of negative stuff from interest groups. It was a ‘missed opportunity’. It let down workers it sought to protect. It said nothing about enforcement. Those willing to take a wider view however should agree […]
Benefit delivery is causing financial hardship. Citizens Advice is calling on the government to pause the rollout of Universal Credit. The application system requires claimants to wait 6 weeks for payment leading to financial insecurity and debt. Many are falling behind with regular payments including rent and some are even at risk of losing their homes. In Surrey Universal Credit is at currently available to just a small group. Full […]
Service now in place. Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead court desk is up and running again. Our advisers can now help local people facing action in the Guildford County Court sitting at Crawley Magistrates Court. For years the service supported people in local courts, particularly those defending housing cases. However in March the Redhill and Reigate courts closed and it looked as if such people would have to attend court […]