Citizens Advice service to be a champion for consumers

Citizens Advice responds to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skill’s announcement on the proposals to make the Citizens Advice service a champion for consumer information across a range of sectors and take on responsibility from Consumer Focus for representing consumers’ interests in unregulated sectors.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive at national charity Citizens Advice said:

"This is good news for consumers. With consumer advice, advocacy and education all under one Citizens Advice service roof, consumers will get a service they know and trust. One that helps them resolve their problem, learn how to avoid similar issues, and get involved in making sure the same thing doesn’t happen to other people.

“Citizens Advice has a strong history of advising consumers and championing their problems at a national and local level. We’re pleased that this decision will now allow us to do more to help consumers in this way. We will work closely with Consumer Focus and the Government to ensure a smooth transition for the benefit of consumers.”  

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website .

  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

  3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk . You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk

  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers

  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends

  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.