Healthwatch Surrey Report. Published last month the new report from Healthwatch Surrey does exactly what it says on the cover. It presents the experience of people in 14 different groups managing a disability or social disadvantage. Interviewees are broadly content. On average almost 88% feel GP services in 6 Surrey Clinical Commissioning Group areas are good (national 85%). But HWS recommends action to deal with: difficulty […]
Minimum wages and the self-employed. A new paper on improving self-employment with comment from Lord Adair Turner* created a lot of interest in this week’s Resolution Foundation event. Resolution’s thorough study proposes new government policies to make self-employment more secure, to tackle the abuses of ‘bogus’ self-employment, but also to protect the tax base as employment practice changes: Extending Statutory Maternity Pay Extending contributory Jobseekers’ Allowance to […]
Annual Report. “Building strong and trusting relationships with our system partners”. That’s how Healthwatch Surrey describes itself in its 2016-17 annual report. At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead we’re more than happy to endorse the claim. Healthwatch Surrey exists to give the community a voice in the NHS. We’re proud to work with them in helping people get the information they need and listening on their behalf […]
Ofgem proposes extra help for vulnerable customers. Energy regulator Ofgem today published proposals* for a safeguard tariff for vulnerable customers “to protect them from overpaying for their energy”. It had been expected that the government would tell Ofgem to cap prices for all customers. The growing call for such a cap followed the Competition and Markets Authority’s report in 2016 […]
A service proving its worth. If we’re honest, not many of us are exactly on top of “uncrystallised pension lump sums” or “guaranteed annuity values”. Sarah Mountjoy of Pension Wise Sutton is one who is. Redhill volunteers and staff welcomed Sarah to their latest expert briefing* on key issues and organisations. Sarah led a discussion about Pension Wise and its essential work with those approaching pension age who […]
Sharing support. The British Red Cross and Citizens Advice have a lot in common. Whether it’s shared values such as impartiality and voluntary service or commitment to working for a stronger community. Last week we began to make that understanding more helpful to both. Citizens Advice Banstead outreach volunteer Helen Howe met Claire Richards and […]
New Citizens Advice information on workplace rights. Moving on can be great but also a time of great anxiety. Citizens Advice online has published new information on Leaving a job. It deals with all aspects of the most asked-about issues – resigning, references, dismissal and redundancy. At one time or another most of us need good information […]
Play your part. Be scam aware. July is Scams Awareness Month promoted by Citizens Advice and Trading Standards. At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead we’re be playing a full part and asking everyone to be scam aware. Here’s some things to be VERY aware of: a call, letter, email or text that’s come out of the blue […]
How to do it. It can easily happen. You’ve paid your money but the goods or service aren’t up to standard. You may have complained but you don’t take it further because you’re not sure anyone will listen. In fact if you think a company has broken the law or acted unfairly, you might be […]