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.
Cost of Living Campaign
Rapid rises in the cost of living mean difficult times for a growing number of people even in prosperous areas. We want to help policymakers, organisations and residents take the right decisions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Civil society, data insights, exciting plan: Annual Conference online.
Civil society is the institutions, people and beliefs that aren’t public or private, government or business. A positive report by our research team in a second Conference 2024 blog.
By Research and Campaigns Team, Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (4 minutes)
At Conference Vicki learned about advice innovations and met a shark!
At Conference for the first time, Vicki hoped to learn more about how Citizens Advice works. She wasn’t disappointed. A full day covered tech possibilities, colleague and client wellbeing and Citizens Advice values.
Vicki Phelan is a Financial and Wellbeing Support Service Caseworker at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (4 minutes)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Understanding young people and the ‘cozzie livs’.
For over a year the ‘cost of living crisis’ has dominated in all media. It became so familiar that younger people gave it a nickname, the ‘cozzie livs’. (4-minute read)
Chloe May and Anna Tickle are Research and Campaigns Volunteers at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell.
Energy bills are still the biggest worry for families and individuals
It’s already clear some households will struggle with energy bills this winter.
Watchdog’s new duty for banks: ensure good outcomes for customers
Good outcomes for customers – that is now the Financial Conduct Authority’s aim in regulating banks and other service providers. People should expect to be treated well.
Chloe May (pictured) and Anna Tickle are Research and Campaigns Volunteers at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell.
5 things you can do to be smarter with money
Our national colleague Dominic has written a blog with 5 simple things to do (or do better!) We like it a lot.
Cost of living good news (if only)
Changes in inflation and interest rates affect everyone, but low- and middle-income people most.
‘Home Advantage’ makes clear case for investment in energy efficiency
Why government must commit to improving the energy efficiency of the nation's homes. Research & Campaigns Team (3 minutes)
People in poor health are struggling more than others with the cost of living
The cost-of-living crisis is not inflicting pain equally.
Crunched, squeezed, hit for 6 – the crisis goes on
Clichés of crisis economics don’t misrepresent the feelings of many CAEE clients or millions of others.
Cost of living: was this the month the tide turned? Unfortunately…
Energy prices were certain to fall. They made lower general inflation inevitable.
Policy help must target low-income families but there’s increasing pain in the middle too
Evidence is mounting for more recognition of families previously thought able to manage.
‘Our bleakest-ever start to the year’ Citizens Advice May cost of living briefing
More people needing help. More food bank referrals. More prepayment meter problems.
Cost of living latest: is April ‘the cruellest month’?
Continuing high prices mean Spring is still on hold for the cost of living.
Cost of living campaigning at Westminster
National and Local Citizens Advice colleagues last week took their charities’ cost of living campaigning to parliament. Financial distress has grown across the country along with a frightening rise in the cost of living.
Louise Curd is Publicity and Fundraising Manager at Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell.
Citizens Advice March briefing: 2023 could leave a real legacy of debt
Policymakers always show interest in Citizens Advice. On this occasion they found it easier than usual.
Cost of living: this crisis is far from over
Comment. The February inflation announcement apparently shocked everyone except people who buy food and drinks.
Community Foundation for Surrey grant will be ‘hugely beneficial’
The grant is already helping us provide 'critical support' for families under pressure.
Citizens Advice briefing: a new debt crisis and ‘housing emergency’
We could be facing a cost-of-living AND debt crisis. Housing including sky- rocketing rents is a critical issue.
Citizens Advice latest cost of living briefing open to all – 23 February
The focus of this month's Citizens Advice online briefing is housing. Everyone welcome.
Freeze on Local Housing Allowance could lead to new rent arrears crisis
A new blog from our Research & Campaigns Team reports evidence from Surrey Local Citizens Advice, national Citizens Advice and the respected Institute of Fiscal Studies.