Barriers to benefits: the need for accessible application processes
Barriers to benefits. At Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell, we see vulnerable clients every day facing significant obstacles when applying for the support they really need.
Research & Campaigns
Our work with clients gives us a wealth of real time evidence about local problems. This enables us to spot harmful policies or practice, help organisations improve, and support campaigns to influence national government.
Homelessness in Epsom and Ewell: why housing policy needs urgent reform
E&E has one of the highest proportions of homeless families in England. Housing policy needs urgent reform.
Two cheers for mixed bag budget (with big commitment to public services)
The Budget. Two cheers for people under pressure: household support, more help with debt repayment.
The Budget. Issues could derail plans but experts downbeat about new help.
'Experts downbeat' wasn't what we were hoping for the least well-off.
Supporting vulnerable residents – Household Support Fund in Epsom and Ewell
Colleagues Anna and Victoria update stakeholders on value of the local Household Support Fund.
Autumn fruitfulness for policy research but will clients be smiling?
Autumn: fruitfulness for policy research. Not so mellow for clients. A campaigns update.
The true spirit of the community and why we campaign for change.
At CAEE we try to represent the spirit of the community in our advice *and* our campaigns for necessary change.
Pension Credit – the way to get extra help
The rules for Winter Fuel Payments have changed. You may need to claim Pension Credit to qualify.
New chapters: the best advice for young people
A campaign promoting trusted online help for young people facing new rights and responsibilities.
Private renters at sharp end of the living standards crisis
Private renters’ costs are going ‘Through the Roof’. And it's not just the rent.
Young people and renting in 2024. CAEE Blog
It’s no secret that there’s a continuing housing crisis in the UK. And anyone who hasn’t noticed a shortage of decent accommodation affecting young people hasn’t been paying attention.
Ollie Smith is a communications and research volunteer at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. (4 minutes)
Leaning local – research & campaigns keeps focus on local needs
A new local focus on issues affecting clients and citizens now.
Persistent cash use suggests many still missing out on digital innovation
Persistent cash use in our digital world sends a message: many are still missing out on digital innovation.
Immediate help for poorest…economics…and a reminder.
Data Insights July. Our public affairs colleagues produced strong evidence for providing immediate help.
National Citizens Advice data on living standards: Labour’s First Hundred Days
Citizens Advice data on living standards has become central to the public debate in recent months.
Household Support Fund – what you need to know. CAEE Blog.
Since June our Household Support Fund has helped 90 local families. FAQs.
School uniforms – important and expensive. CAEE Blog.
School uniforms. In her new blog Anna Tickle writes about an important cost approaching with the new school year.
It’s nearly over but are families’ ‘heat or eat’ choices?
Families across the country 'living on empty’ has not been an election issue.
Election campaign silence is broken but not in the best way
Finally, there's more debate about issues impacting many people we help. Not, unfortunately, from politicians.
Blank Space makes living standards election more Eras Tour election 🎵
This election should be about Living Standards but Swifties may see Eras! 🎵
Living standards should be a top issue in the big vote on 4 July
Why living standards must be properly debated. And our first priorities for the new government.
Household support facing up to hardship
The new Household Support Fund runs April to September. That will not be enough.
Permanent insecurity still trapping many in cost crisis
Income insecurity means the cost crisis is not over. Data Insights report.
Is it over? Is the cost crisis history?
Citizens Advice Data Insights 15 May 11am. Tales of two recoveries.
Managed migration to Universal Credit – mind the gaps!
Action now could solve problems in the last stage of universal credit roll-out.
Comparing houses: ours are smaller, older, colder, less convenient
Comparing houses and related quality of life in rich countries, an independent think tank* finds us near the bottom of the class.
Housing policy ‘must surely be centre-stage’ in election manifestos
Owners in the borough outnumber renters 3 to 1 but we help far more renters with housing and other issues.
Hard-pressed private tenants face continuing rent rises
The cost of private renting in Epsom & Ewell is forecast to go on rising.
Local service standards affect everyone’s quality of life
Local service standards really matter to all local people but some more than others.
Jeremy Hunt announces a temporary fix for emergency family support
The chancellor extended the Household Support Fund for a further 6 months as part of the Spring Budget.
‘Alarm bells for politicians’ in latest Data Insights
"Alarm bells should be ringing with politicians". The stark message from our latest Data Insights briefing.
Campaign reflections and looking forward to 2024-25
We've posted reflections on our 2023-24 campaigns with thinking about the new campaign year 2024-25.
Costly differences made life harder for people with a disability
Costly differences. Local services under threat hit vulnerable people hardest. Just like essentials price inflation.
Health policy expert Matthew Swindells is new Citizens Advice national Chair
We welcome Matthew Swindells as national Chair. Health policy really matters to so many clients in the current crisis.
Online access: vulnerable excluded at risk of second class citizenship
Digital exclusion is putting vulnerable and older people at risk of becoming second class citizens.
Every family is different but essentials inflation hits worst-off hardest
For many local people we helped in 2023 price inflation in essentials caused serious debt problems.
Great British Rail Sale (open to all we hope)
The Great Rail Sale. We hope offers are open to everyone, not just everyone who can order online.
Household budgets, cost of living, election: Data Insights Latest
New blog reporting and recommending the latest cost-of-living briefing with election guru Professor Sir John Curtice.
Housing costs to cause ‘pincer movement for foreseeable future’
The combination of ever-higher housing costs and dearer essentials will make 2024 difficult for many families.
Citizens Advice Election Year Insights Briefing – Your invitation
Election Year Briefing 18 January. With the UK's most respected election analyst, Professor Sir John Curtice.
Hopes and fears: latest price changes may flatter to deceive
Hopes and fears have dominated Citizens Advice cost–of-living campaigns othroughout 2023. They rise and fall with official statistics and our own national and local data.
Research & Campaigns Team, Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. (2-minute read)
Martin Lewis – Money Saving Expert and man of ideas
Martin Lewis was his plain-speaking self when he joined the latest CA cost-of-living briefing.
Banking hubs can solve problem of mass branch closures.
Banking hubs offer a practical solution to a growing problem in financial services.
Cost crisis 2023 meant a year of campaigning
High demand for advice and campaigns for mitigation of troubles facing so many.
Hey Elf, you’re a cute agent for a big social and economic issue
The Elf on the shelf has reminders about how to save energy and money all round the house.
Two Cheers, Chancellor. Now our clients need long-term solutions
Two of our three asks got positive answers in the Autumn Statement. Good, but there's more to do.
Black Friday 2023 – smaller but if anything more dangerous
Black Friday and Cyber Monday could prove even more dangerous for the unwary shopper.
Chancellor’s Autumn Statement must ‘pull all the levers to help’ families in crisis
The new Citizens Advice dataset reveals no let-up for growing numbers of clients.
Cash payments ROSE in September for the first time in a decade.
Cash makes it easier o keep track of spending - essential if you're living on a tight budget.
Chronic ill-health or disability are problems for many of our local clients
By Anna Tickle, Research & Campaigns Volunteer
Autumn Statement must index-link benefits and unfreeze housing benefit.
We're calling on government to uprate benefits in line with inflation and unfreeze Local Housing Allowance.
Energy prices are forcing people into debt with demand for advice at record levels.
In the year to March 2023 we saw fuel debt issues almost double on the previous year.
Rents are unsustainable and driving an inexorable rise in homelessness
Rising rents and homelessness mean councils face budget-busting costs of statutory housing responsibilities.
Missing digital skills? Local support IS available.
Not knowing how to use the internet or not having access are huge problems.
Scrapping net zero targets could cost private renters billions
Abandoning changes to EPC standards will have most impact on those already struggling.
‘Drip pricing’ is a disgraceful way to raise consumers’ costs
You’re buying a flight or cinema ticket. Right before finalising payment there's a booking fee....Arrgh
To service provider management: “We’re helping stop digital exclusion, are you?”
No firm or provider suffers from a reputation for caring.
The rising cost of high rents (it’s not all financial)
“The rising cost of high rents is damaging household finances but also health, security, family life and the economy. With the cost-of-living crisis stretching pockets, high rents going even higher can be the final straw. ”
Anna Tickle is a Research & Campaigns Volunteer at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell. (4 minute read)
Fixing cost and debt worries needs more than ‘sticking-plaster solutions’
Ministers should consider more ways of regulating supply of essential home services.
Household Support Fund now helping most vulnerable
The aim is relief for families struggling to afford essentials - food, clothing, utilities, housing costs.