In a confusing world our research and campaigns help build trust
In a confusing world it’s no surprise if problems trip up families and spoil lives.
By CAEE Research and Campaigns Team. (3 minutes)
Every year Citizens Advice is proud that our trained advisers help thousands of people unravel complexity and find a way forward. But great outcomes aren’t quite enough to justify the trust of so many.
Working to improve damaging policy or practice – the mission we call Research and Campaigns – is also necessary and the second way we add value.
Every month we monitor government, council and organisational activity in the light of local client issues. It’s a different role but our brilliant volunteer advisers are again the heroes. Their careful records make possible our real time information on society’s worries as they develop.
In 2025 the CAEE R&C team will present the issues in partnership with colleagues across Surrey and at national level.
Expect local themes similar to 2024:
- living standards
- housing crisis (as bad here as many less prosperous areas)
- debt, notably council tax arrears
- health and disability benefits
- digital exclusion causing or aggravating every kind of problem.
New too
But new government policies and changed business practices look certain to bring fresh issues.
We will watch carefully emerging social security policy: reform is essential but unwise changes could bring real hardship. We look forward to hearing more about Job Centre reform; investment in the vital work of job coaches should smooth paths into work but also improve the benefit process.
More broadly, we hope aspirations for better local public services will bear fruit.
Citizens Advice is for everyone of course. But the quality of life of many people we help rises or falls with the quality of services we all need. We mean: health, education, blue light, transport, libraries, youth services and the rest.
2025 is set to be important for local government. We will make our voice and data available to local and national decision-makers.
We aim to help deliver cost-effective improvements in a confusing world where there is genuine need. That is how we hope and think we can make a valuable contribution.