Since the Citizens Advice (CAB) service was founded 75 years ago, it has been working to make society better.

In England and Wales last year 21,500 volunteers provided advice from more than 3,900 community locations to over three million people (with a further 22 million visits to their website).
In Oxford the CAB helped over 6,500 people with 20,000 problems. But its staff are not just here for times of crisis – they also campaign for policy changes that benefit everyone.
The UK is going through a big period of change; from welfare reform to the payday lending market, the cost of housing and rising energy bills. Life is getting increasingly complicated and it’s becoming more and more important that people can access relevant, impartial and free advice. The CAB has published a Citizens’ Manifesto 2015 (http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/campaigns/the_citizens_manifesto2015.htm) to show how it can solve some of the most common problems faced by many Oxfordshire residents by providing policy solutions on family finances, fairer markets and advice for the future.
It wants the next government to support everyone who can work to do so and provide a strong safety net for those who can’t. It should:

  • Ensure that work always pays for parents by providing support for 90 per cent of childcare costs and free school meals for all parents on universal credit;
  • Improve the work capability assessment and abolish charging for medical evidence in support of claims for all disability benefits.

The CAB wants the next government to show it is on the side of consumers by:

  • Effective competition, demand reduction and support for those who cannot afford a warm home in the energy market;
  • Introducing a universal service obligation on retail banks so everyone has access to essential banking services
  • Forcing retailers to provide information about customers’ rights at the point of sale so they know what to do if they buy something faulty.

It wants the next government to recognise the value of advice to society and:

  • Develop a five-year strategy for the provision of advice in all communities;
  • Work with the Citizens Advice service to develop opportunities for volunteering which move people closer to the workplace and increase their sense of self-worth and connection with their local communities.

 If you want more information or wish to support the CAB in their campaigns please contact Citizens Advice  – http://www.caox.org.uk