Money Matters

Sometimes you need advice, but don’t know where to find the correct and relevant guidance, which is where Citizens Advice comes in, as Peter d’Aguilar discovered

Sometimes you need advice, but just don’t know where or who to turn to. A friend? A family member? A professional? A stranger in the pub, or at the bus stop? Often, these options are just too delicate, too personally involved, or just lacking in the right levels of expertise or experience.

This is where Citizens Advice can help. Its team of well-qualified independent volunteers offer confidential and impartial advice free of charge on a wide range of issues – such as state benefits, consumer rights, legal matters, debt and money, housing, family, employment, health and immigration. They also support witnesses in court through the Witness Service and give pension guidance to anyone over 50 years of age.

There are currently over 300 Citizens Advice offices spread across the United Kingdom dispensing advice, support and wisdom in person or over the phone. However, as with most aspects of modern life, much of their work is now done through the Internet – their website receives well over 30 million visits each year. Citizens Advice volunteers now number over twenty thousand, backed up by eight thousand support staff. Together, they help more than a million people face-to-face, and another million through their telephone service. Half a million people use their consumer helpline and a similar

CITIZENS ADVICE

There are currently over 300 Citizens Advice offices spread across the United Kingdom

number contact them by email or webchat. They help to solve around 80 to 90% of the problems they tackle.

The twin aims of the Citizens Advice service are to provide the advice people need for the problems they face and to improve the policies and principles that affect people’s lives. The fact that they see so many people with such a wide range of different problems gives them a valuable insight into the challenges people are facing today. They are therefore well placed to talk to big organisations, from commercial businesses to local and national government, about ways in which they can make life better for the people of Britain. Citizens Advice saves the tax-payer millions of pounds each year – roughly £2 for every £1 spent on the service. It also acts as the statutory consumer watchdog for

industries such as energy and the postal service. In recent years, Citizens Advice has lobbied successfully for changes in government legislation on areas such as housing, universal credit, energy bills, letting agent fees and broadband

charges. Unsurprisingly, much of its energy and expertise is currently devoted to combatting the challenges arising from Brexit and Covid-19.

The first Citizens Advice organisations emerged in the 1930s, supported by public funding and charitable donations. The first 200 bureaux formally opened in 1939, to help meet the wartime needs of the civilian population. In 1973, the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NACAB) received a development grant from the Government to extend its network. In 2003, The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux changed its name to the less cumbersome Citizens Advice. Its network of charities has grown to become the largest independent advice provider in the UK, and similar organisations have sprung up in other parts of the Commonwealth

Citizens Advice saves the taxpayer millions of pounds each year – roughly £2 for every £1 spent on the service

– including Australia, New Zealand and Gibraltar.

In an independently-commissioned review of the service, the Office for Public Management states that ‘the Citizens Advice service provides excellent value in return for the public funding it receives. It makes a significant contribution to individuals and communities, as well as to the process of policy-making and service delivery. Its holistic approach, national coverage and independence are to be cherished.’

Citizens Advice is always on the lookout for new volunteers. If you have something to offer, why not contact them? l citizensadvice.org.uk

WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU IS IMPORTANT TO US

At NFU Mutual we can look after you, your family and your business. Our insurance products and financial services include: • Home • Farm • Life Assurance • Car • Equine • Critical Illness • Business • Travel • Income Protection

NFU Mutual Financial Advisers advise on NFU Mutual products and selected products from specialist providers. When you get in touch we’ll explain the advice services offered and the charges. Financial advice is provided by NFU Mutual Select Investments Limited. For a real conversation about your insurance call or email us. NFU Mutual, Bysshopps, High Street, Henfield, BN5 9HP T: 01273 025 176 E: Henfield_agency@nfumutual.co.uk NFU Mutual, 1 North Pallant, Chichester, PO19 1TJ T: 01243 887 713 E: Chichester_agency@nfumutual.co.uk

C A Modi is an appointed representative of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No. 111982). And an introducer to NFU Mutual Select Investments Limited, a member of the NFU Mutual group of companies.