Citizens Advice response to Chancellor's statement on coronavirus

Dame Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“The government’s unprecedented action to protect workers is extremely welcome. The measures announced today will protect millions of low-income families worried about making ends meet during this crisis. 

“In the coming weeks, it’s vital that the government continues to make sure everyone is able to access the income that they need - including self-employed people and those receiving benefits.

“We look forward to working with the government to get these details right and ensure everyone can quickly get the support they need.”

Notes to Editors

  1. Citizens Advice has set out its recommendations for a Crisis Minimum Income in its report Financial support during the Covid-19 pandemic - a proposal for a Crisis Minimum Income

  2. Citizens Advice set out recommendations on mitigating the risks to people's finances in Helping people through the Covid-19 pandemic

  3. Citizens Advice also has a dedicated coronavirus webpage where people can find information and support: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/coronavirus

  4. Citizens Advice published research recommending changes to benefit levels and the Local Housing Allowance in February 2020 Making Ends Meet: The impact of the benefits freeze on people in debt

  5. Citizens Advice is made up of the national charity Citizens Advice; the network of independent local Citizens Advice charities across England and Wales; the Citizens Advice consumer service; and the Witness Service.

  6. Our network of charities offers impartial advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free.

  7. We helped 2.7 million people face to face, over the phone, by email and webchat in 2018-19. And we had 29 million visits to our website. For full service statistics see our monthly publication Advice trends.

  8. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,600 service outlets across England and Wales.

  9. Citizens Advice is the largest provider of free, multi-channel debt advice. Providing that help gives Citizens Advice unique insight into the types of debts people struggle with.

  10. Citizens Advice is the statutory consumer advocate for energy and postal markets. We provide supplier performance information to consumers and policy analysis to decision makers.

  11. The Citizens Advice Witness Service provides free and independent support for both prosecution and defence witnesses in every criminal court in England and Wales.

  12. Citizens Advice also offers Pension Wise appointments across England and Wales.

  13. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 for Welsh language speakers.