Policy research publications
Citizens Advice regularly publishes policy research on issues affecting clients of our service. We use this evidence to campaign for changes in policies and services.
Welfare
Welfare and benefits forms the largest area of advice we deliver giving us some of the clearest insights into the way in which the system works and the challenges it poses.
Consumer
We all now have to behave as consumers in an increasing number of markets. Our consumer policy work looks at how people are treated in everything from telecoms and financial services, to housing and online marketplaces.
Work
Our work policy research covers both employment and self-employment. It looks at the increasing diversity of working arrangements and how this is affecting pay, work-life balance and redress when things go wrong.
Pensions
Our pensions policy work explores how people understand pensions and what can be done to help consumers make positive pension choices while also protecting them from potential risks.
Energy
We are the official consumer body for energy. We use research and evidence from the people who contact our advice service every day to understand the problems facing energy consumers in Great Britain. We help solve these problems by engaging with industry, changing policy and supporting consumers to navigate the market.
Post
As the statutory consumer body for postal consumers in England and Wales, we commission research, build evidence-based policy positions to embed the needs of postal consumers into decision-making, with specific regard for the needs of vulnerable consumers.
Water
- Citizens Advice Response to CCW's Forward Work Programme 2022-23
- Citizens Advice response to Ofwat’s consultation: PR24 and beyond
- Citizens Advice response to CCW’s Strategy 2021-24
- Citizens Advice Response to CMA Consultation on Provisional Findings by PR19 - Cost of Capital Working Papers
- Citizens Advice submission to the Ofwat review: ‘PR24 and beyond: Future challenges and opportunities for the water sector’
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Justice
Through Citizens Advice and the Witness Service, we support hundreds of thousands of people pursuing justice or going to court as a victim or a witness.
Housing
- “As a renter, you never truly feel at home”: Tenants Voice submission to the Renters Reform Bill
- A building crisis: The impact of cost of living pressures on private renters
- One renter every minute: How the pandemic exacerbated existing problems and what that means for the Renters Reform Bill
- New year, same arrears: How the pandemic is leaving private renters with unmanageable debt
- A New Deal for Renting: Resetting the balance of rights and responsibilities between landlords and tenants: Citizens Advice response to MHCLG’s call for evidence
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Public services
We help thousands of people with public service issues every year. This means we have a really detailed understanding of public services and how they can best support their users.
Wales
- Wales: Cost of living briefing July 2022 | Cymru: Papur briffio costau byw Gorffennaf 2022
- Dyledus: Profiadau o ôl-ddyledion treth gyngor yng Nghymru | Indebted: experiences of council tax arrears in Wales
- Citizens Advice Cymru submission to the Equality and Social Justice Committee: Levels of indebtedness during the pandemic
- How to ensure a fairer Council Tax system in Wales | Sut i sicrhau system Dreth Gyngor decach yng Nghymru
- Address Unknown: How Welsh Government can make post accessible for everyone
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Data trends
At Citizens Advice, we see millions of people with many different kinds of problems. This gives us a unique insight into the challenges people are facing today and the impact of coronavirus on their lives. We’ve pulled together data from across our website and local advice services to understand people’s concerns during this crisis.