Citizens Advice North Lancashire's 5 election calls

Citizens Advice North Lancashire's 5 election calls

Citizens Advice North Lancashire is today calling on candidates from all political parties to take note of the issues most affecting their service in Morecambe and Lancaster. The charity supports residents when they need advice and support in the areas of debt, benefits, housing, employment and family law. 

"In the last year, we've seen that the cost of living crisis is far from over" says Joanna Young, CEO, "This is the Living Standards election. Our concern as a charity is for those on the very lowest incomes who are the most vulnerable to economic shocks."

The charity is calling for five key changes to current policy to make sure that those on the lowest incomes are protected from destitution. These are: an end to the benefits cap, an end to the two child limit, the maintenance of the Local Housing Authority rate, improvements to the way that disability benefits are administered and run, and the extension of the Household Support Fund to at least April 2025. 

"Candidates should be aware of how difficult life is for those on the lowest incomes." Says Gully Trevena, Advice Director. "We are breaking unwelcome records every week with the numbers of people who are coming to us because their budgets just don't add up. A new government must ensure that everyone can afford the very basics."

Last year the charity saw over 7,500 people who had over 28,000 different problems. The team of 35 staff and 50 volunteers supported clients gaining £14.9m in debts written off, eligible benefits claimed and charges saved; money that goes directly back into the local economy.