Campaigning for change

The experience of Citizens Advice Bureaux gives a unique, fresh insight into the problems facing UK citizens. The Citizens Advice service has always provided free, independent advice and used clients' experiences to influence national and local services and policies. Citizens Advice collects evidence of CAB clients' problems and uses this to campaign for changes in policies and services.

Social Policy is a core aim of the Bureau. We have a key role in speaking up for clients, raising issues brought into bureaux, contributing to public debate and informing legislation.

We aim to exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies, legislation and services, both locally and nationally.

National issues

We contribute to National campaigns by submitting Bureau Evidence Reports

In 2004 we submitted 137 evidence forms to Citizens Advice. These detail instances of unfairness or injustice that clients suffered either because of inadequate service, or because of unjust rules or regulations.

Inefficiencies of government departments — in particular the Department for Work and Pensions and the Jobcentre Plus — caused major problems for clients. Our clients also reported many issues with Tax Credits administered by Her Majesty’s Revenue collection.

Apart from welfare benefits, we also collect evidence on other problems such as those with debt, employment, consumer (e.g. rogue builders or dodgy car dealers), immigration and housing.

Local campaigns.

We campaign locally to address issues specific to our community. Last year we collected evidence on the difficulties our clients are having in registering with local NHS dentists.

We have a major on-going campaign with the other Bureaux in Berkshire to address the severe problems encountered by our clients by poor service form the Job Centre +. We have pooled evidence, involved local MPs and councils and as a group are meeting with management from the Department of Work and Pensions to negotiate improvements.

On-going action

To find out more about current:

 National campaigns by Citizens Advice click here

 Campaigns in Wokingham and Berkshire click here.