Briefings for Parliamentarians

Our briefings provide information for debates and give Parliamentarians regular updates on our policy work.

You can also read the Citizens Advice MP guide [ 2.3 mb]. This has a range of information on how we can work together to help your constituents, including:

Practical steps you and your office can take when someone comes to you for help.
How your local Citizens Advice can help you to advise constituents, manage casework, and access constituency data.
How we can work together in Parliament on national issues that impact your constituents and others across the country.

Latest Parliamentary briefings

Cost of living: The government’s energy support package leaves low-income households behind [ 360 kb]

9 February 2022

In January 2022 more than 270,000 people sought help from Citizens Advice, more than at any point since the pandemic began. In the same month, a staggering 24,000 people helped by the charity required some type of crisis support such as food bank vouchers. This is a record for the charity, passing the previous peak only set in December 2021.

Monopoly Money - how consumers overpaid by billions [ 97 kb]

30 May 2019

New Citizens Advice analysis shows how regulators across essential markets have allowed water, energy, broadband and telephone networks to overcharge consumers over the past 15 years. We're calling for companies to return some of this money to customers and for regulators to stop this happening again. If companies fail to act, the government should step in.

Bailiff briefing - Westminster Hall debate [ 150 kb]

7 January 2019

Citizens Advice has seen a 24% increase in bailiff problems since 2014, despite the new rules introduced. An independent bailiff regulator would limit the worst excesses of bailiff behaviour and provide a simple means to resolve complaints against poor bailiff behaviour.

Tenant Fees Bill - Report Stage briefing, House of Lords [ 160 kb]

11 December 2018

Government should either withdraw amendment 57, or re-table it ahead of Third Reading with a tighter definition.

Tenant Fees Bill - Committee Stage briefing, House of Lords [ 140 kb]

5 November 2018

The government should either tighten the paragraph on default fees to include a list of what fees would be allowed under it, or remove it entirely to allow relevant charges to be dealt with independently through the existing deposit scheme.

Tenant Fees Bill - Second Reading briefing, House of Lords [ 160 kb]

10 October 2018

Private renters do not have the same choices as people in other essential markets and have little bargaining power. The government must significantly tighten the default fee clause with a clearer definition of when a default fee is legitimate, to give both landlords and tenants clarity over what can be charged.

Tenant Fees Bill - Report Stage briefing, House of Commons [ 170 kb]

5 September 2018

Citizens Advice would like the House to support amendment 3, which would tighten the default fee clause with a clear definition of when default fees are legitimate.

Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill - Committee stage briefing, House of Lords

11 and 13 June 2018

We agree that the price cap should be absolute, not relative, and we share the cross-party desire to make sure people are protected from rip-off energy deals before next winter. Customers in vulnerable situations should continue to benefit from appropriate protections after the date of the sunset clause contained in the Bill.

Tenant Fees Bill - Committee stage, briefing on amendment 10

7 June 2018

Citizens Advice would like the Committee to support amendment 10, which would allow the Secretary of State to tighten this clause with a clearer definition of when a default fee is legitimate.

Tenant Fees Bill - Committee Stage briefing

5 June 2018

The Government must significantly tighten the default fee clause with a clearer definition of when a default fee is legitimate. Leaving this to non-statutory guidance risks inconsistent outcomes for renters

Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill - second reading debate briefing, House of Lords

22 May 2018

We welcome the Government’s move to cap energy bills. This Bill is a vital step to ensuring that consumers on default tariffs are not being ripped off, while still allowing competition in the market.

Tenant Fees Bill - second reading debate briefing

21 May 2018

The default fee clause has the potential to fundamentally undermine the Government’s aim to end tenant fees and prevent unfair practices. The Government must significantly tighten this clause with a clearer definition of when a default fee is legitimate

Universal Credit and modern employment [ 160 kb]

April 2018

Universal Credit needs to adapt to the modern labour market. Our new analysis finds that UC risks leaving some workers’ financial stability hanging in the balance, and diminishes some people’s incentive to work or increase their hours.

Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill - third reading debate [ 290 kb]

30 April 2018

We agree that the the best way of protecting consumers is through an absolute rather than a relative cap. We share the cross-party desire to make sure people are protected from rip-off energy deals before next winter.

Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill - second reading debate [ 130 kb]

6 March 2018

Universal Credit Budget [ 200 kb]

November 2017

We support the principles underpinning Universal Credit - to simplify the benefit system and make work pay - but more action is needed if it’s to achieve its aims.

Universal Credit [ 140 kb]

18 October 2017

Citizens Advice has unparalleled evidence on the roll-out of Universal Credit (UC) - we’ve helped people with over 100,000 UC issues since it was introduced. We support the principles underpinning Universal Credit, but our evidence suggests significant changes are required if it is to achieve its aims.

Universal Credit and Debt [ 86 kb]

September 2017

Our new analysis shows Universal Credit is pushing people further into debt. We're calling on Government to pause the roll-out of Universal Credit so they can fix the problems.

Fixing Universal Credit [ 86 kb]

July 2017

The aim of Universal Credit – to simplify our benefits system – is right. But it is already failing many people. Citizens Advice is calling on the Government to reduce how long people have to wait for their first payment and to improve the support available to people so they can make ends meet.

Post office closures - Westminster Hall debate [ 150 kb]

25 April 2017

Post offices remain important to local communities. We think the Government should confirm appropriate funding for 2018-21 to maintain the current network, and Post Office Limited should raise awareness of public consultations around Crown branch changes.

PIP regulations emergency debate [ 240 kb]

March 2017

In order for the government to achieve greater parity between mental health and physical health - and to reduce the disability employment gap - we're calling for them to look again at the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 and make sure those with severe mental health conditions are not disadvantaged.

Digital Economy Bill - House of Lords Report Stage [ 120 kb]

22 February 2017

We're supporting a new clause which would put a cap on bills, helping to ensure that consumers are not hit by unexpected debt that they are unable to pay back.

Digital Economy Bill - House of Lords Second Reading

13 December 2016

Mobile phone tariffs are complex. The most effective solution to protect consumers against bill shock is to give them the right to set a limit on the amount they can spend on their mobile phone each month.

Renters Rights Bill - Committee stage

November 2016

The private rental sector remains a market in which consumers are woefully
under-protected. We want this to change.

Welfare Reform and Work Bill - House of Lords Second Reading [ 260 kb]

17 November 2015

This briefing explains the likely impact of some of the welfare benefits measures in the Bill and provides some key questions. The Government must ensure it fully understands the impact of welfare cuts on households and must ensure that the implementation of reform is safe and steady.

Welfare Reform and Work Bill - House of Commons Second Reading [ 270 kb]

20 July 2015

Citizens Advice welcomes the Government’s commitment to protect the vulnerable as reforms are made to the welfare system. However, Ministers need to fully understand the impact these reforms will have on many people’s ability to meet day to day costs.

Childcare Bill - House of Lords Second Reading [ 170 kb]

16 June 2015

Citizens Advice welcomes the commitment to securing extra help for parents with childcare costs. However we have some concerns about how this offer will work in practice.