CAO had a very productive meeting with Layla Moran (MP for Oxford West and Abingdon) and members of her casework team in November. We were able to share notes on the cost of living crisis and research and campaigns issues, and how we can work together to help our mutual clients. Taking a shared approach will be useful in complex cases, especially immigration, where we can take advantage of their links with the UK Visas and Immigration department via the MP liaison scheme. Their direct line to ministers will also be useful for raising benefits issues.

In addition, Layla’s team will help us with some campaigning issues, such as our flooring campaign (which addresses the issue of flooring removal for every new social housing tenancy) and selective licensing. They will also help promote our Open Day using their social media channels.

Citizens Advice Oxford provides free, independent impartial and confidential advice service to around 6,000 people each year, helping our clients find a way forward with a range of problems including accessing welfare benefits, managing debt, resolving employment, consumer, family relationship and housing issues.

During 2023-24 our core advice services were provided mainly by a team of 68 volunteers and a smaller team of paid staff. We also offer specialist services for debt, advice to those suffering with cancer, supporting vulnerable people and applying for universal credit. Our advice facing roles operate across different channels such as face to face appointments, email and telephone to make our service as accessible as possible to clients with differing needs.

You can find out about all our services and activities during 2023-2024 in our Annual Report.

Join us online for Citizens Advice’s latest Data Insights event as we put the Spotlight on Gender, 6 December, 12-1pm. 

We’ll be joined by Jess Phillips MP, Under-Secretary of State in the Home Office, minister responsible for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls. She will discuss the government’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade. Putting people with lived experience at the centre of policy-making, she will examine the systemic changes needed to better protect women and girls,  improving their safety and well-being in the face of increasing challenges.

We'll examine the systemic failings, policies, socio-cultural factors that drive gender inequality and increase the risks to women and girls. By analysing the gender disparities in our data, we’ll highlight the challenges faced by different groups of women and share impactful case studies from our frontline services.

Join us to discuss actionable strategies for a safer, more equitable future for everyone.

Register now

Join us on October 15th, 1-2pm for an in-depth analysis of our latest living standards data. We'll explore the delicate balance the Chancellor must achieve in the upcoming Budget to address the 'black hole' in public finances, while minimising the impact on society’s most vulnerable.

Register now

While our data shows some easing in cost-of-living pressures over the summer, the figures remain alarmingly similar to those from this time last year—just before we experienced a record-breaking winter for financial hardship. Many households are on the brink, unable to endure another harsh winter. Our polling reveals that 1 in 4 bill payers—representing 6.9 million households—fear they may be forced to turn off their heating and hot water this winter.

Labour’s upcoming Budget provides an opportunity for meaningful change, the opportunity for millions of households to start to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Will The Chancellor make this Budget a Living Standards turning point? Register to join the discussion

Our Data Insights events will now run bi-monthly. You can view and share our September ‘catch-up’ on X/Twitter or LinkedIn