We’re seeing more people whose problems are made worse by a disability or health condition. At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead our advisers are very well-equipped to help as long as they know about the extra difficulty. We want to do the best we can for clients so in the next few weeks we’re putting […]
An unnoticed policy change being considered by the government will undermine effective partnerships between local authorities and debt advice agencies. This outcome would be the opposite of a proposal the government calls Improving efficiency of council tax collection* The Department for Communities and Local Government wants to give councils information allowing them to contact a bill-payer’s employer and enforce a […]
At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead we’re proud to play a full part in the national Citizens Advice network. Now an evaluation of the full impact of the network across the country is available. By any standards it’s an impressive picture. It’s essential the public and policy-makers understand the national impact. But what really matters is the help given to so many unhappy individuals whose lives are improved by our efforts. Here’s one true story from the […]
As individuals and as a society we’re increasing our debts faster than any time since before the financial crisis in 2007. The debts come from ‘unsecured’ borrowing on credit cards, personal loans and overdrafts. This worries Bank officials by making the whole economy vulnerable to events such as those that caused the crisis. Citizens Advice […]
Festive season cost more than expected? Credit card(s) maxed out? Finding household bills hard to pay? Don’t wait till things get out of control. Take advice now. Fix an appointment with one of our debt advisers. Or check our online advice. Being in debt can feel lonely but it can get better. At Citizens Advice […]
Recent data show why sanctions policy should take more account of individual circumstances. The number of “street homeless” (living outside even temporary formal accommodation) is growing. Most recent official information (for 2014) shows a 14% national increase. According to new data from the Mayor of London, in 2015 there were nearly twice as many rough […]
A new report from Citizens Advice shows people think the justice system is an important public service. But many also think it “remote, confusing, intimidating and inaccessible”. Information from Citizens Advice Witness Service and online polling paints an unhappy picture. One in five who have been involved in courts say they came out with a worse opinion of them than […]
Hunger is a growing problem in Britain. Among the causes are family debt and delayed payment of benefits. These are just two findings in a report published today by a group of MPs and peers. As well as analysing the extent and causes of hunger the authors make detailed recommendations on how to tackle the […]
PRESS RELEASE 01 December 2015 Courts closures: local justice at risk. The government has re-stated its plans to close courts in Redhill and Reigate. Confirmation to press ahead came in last week’s Comprehensive Spending Review. Land released by the closures will be sold off for house building. Cases will be transferred to Staines or Guildford. […]
Consumer laws change and it makes sense to keep up to date. Our latest New Consumer Laws Questions & Answers covers Consumer Rights Act 2015 Alternative Dispute Resolution Information and Cancellation rights Preventing hidden costs and more…. The 2015 Act makes consumer law clearer and simpler and so does our Q&A paper. Read it now New Consumer […]