Nationally, Citizens Advice helps well over 2 million people every year with a wide range of problems. Client data, recorded at local offices across the country, is analysed to understand the problems people are facing and identify underlying social and economic issues. Citizens Advice works with government, regulators, and other provider organisations to address these issues and make recommendations for improving policy and delivery.
Continuing to push for change
Speaking out to make a real difference to people's lives has never been more important. We use our knowledge and evidence to campaign at the highest levels. We show big organisations, from private companies right up to the government, how to help make life better for everyone.
In August 2021 Ofgem announced the energy price cap was increasing. Not long after that predictions for the 2022 price cap soared. We used our data to show the immediate impact the cost-of-living crisis was having. We secured widespread media coverage to shine a spotlight on those affected the most and look ahead to what was needed. Our unique insights - from the percentage of benefit payments spent on energy bills, to soaring demand for our advice on how to manage spiralling costs, and revealing real-life stories of those at the sharp end - kept the pressure up.
As the crisis evolved we continued to offer expert policy analysis. We showed decision-makers across energy and welfare ways to fix the problem. Our work led to a series of government announcements that offered increased support. We continue to share insights from the frontline to raise awareness of the issues affecting people's lives and to secure further support for them.
Millions of people are living on empty. And our advice just can't help them the way it used to.
For the first time we've used the unique data we get from the people we help at Citizens Advice to estimate how many people across the country are trapped in a negative budget.
Breaking the cycle of winter energy crises 3.67 MB
how to turn the tide on falling living standards
Negative budgets - a damning measure of living standards
Now, for the first time, we've used the unique data we get from the people we help at Citizens Advice to estimate how many people across the country are trapped in a negative budget.