Exeter CAB launches citizens' manifesto
With election manifestos due to be published at the end of March, leading local advice charity Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau is promoting the Citizens’ manifesto.
The Citizens’ manifesto calls on the next Government to address three key issues relating to:
- Family finances
- Fairer markets, and
- Advice for the future
Steve Barriball, Chief Executive of Exeter CAB said: “The UK is going through a big period of change; from welfare reform to the payday lending market, and the cost of housing. Life is getting increasingly complicated and it’s becoming more and more important that people can access relevant, impartial and free advice.”
The Citizens’ manifesto, is seeking progress in the following areas:
Family finances:
- Ensuring that work always pays for parents by providing support for 90 per cent of childcare costs and free school meals for all parents on universal credit
- Improving the work capability assessment and abolish charging for medical evidence in support of claims for all disability benefits.
Fairer markets:
- Addressing the need for more effective competition, demand reduction and support for those who cannot afford a warm home in the energy market
- Introducing a universal service obligation on retail banks so everyone has access to essential banking services
- Forcing retailers to provide information about customers’ rights at the point of sale so they know what to do if they buy something faulty.
Advice for the future:
- Developing a five year strategy for the provision of advice in all communities
- Investing in the Citizens Advice service to deliver an interactive, tailored advice service by telephone, online and face-to-face
- Working with the Citizens Advice service to develop opportunities for volunteering which move people closer to the workplace and increase their sense of self-worth and connection with their local communities.
Steve finished by saying: “Our Citizens’ manifesto provides policy solutions that we hope will be recognised and adopted by all political parties.”
A copy of the full Citizens’ manifesto can be found here.
