Imogen Birch

Lover of politics, good wine, cats, all things Italian and an avid reader. Currently senior researcher at Citizens Advice, but views are my own

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

📢 Last night, the Renters Rights Act finally became law.

We’ve been campaigning for this for years, because our advisers see the problems private renters are facing up and down the country.

Read more about the bill and what it means for you ⤵️
https://t.co/Ke9vZtwTwG

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

Temporary accommodation should give people short-term housing while permanent accommodation is found.

But many people find themselves trapped for years, facing costs that stretch their budgets.

Action is needed to prevent families living in temporary accommodation being pushed deeper into poverty ⤵️
https://t.co/F1AQ5K0az2

[Victoria @lifeaftertea]

How will the proposed disability benefit cuts impact disabled people? Today we’re sharing the story of one of the people we’ve helped: Anita*.

The cuts could mean she loses over £8k per year (43% of her income)❗

New blog out now: https://t.co/rFCd9QU2Dy

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

The government's proposed cuts to disability benefits could impact millions of people.

If it passes, it will send hundreds of thousands of disabled people (and their children) into poverty. One of those people is Anita* ⤵️
https://t.co/MJgCNQ8WAj

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

The disabled people we help are among those needing the most support with cost-of-living issues.

Our Director of Policy, Tom MacInnes, explains what our data is showing us.

Join us on 26 June, 2-3pm to hear more ⤵️
https://t.co/u16oDiUsFU

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

Almost 1 third of households receiving Universal Credit have to take out an advance loan from the government to cover their living costs until their first payment.

This is what happened to Matthew. Now these deductions are pushing him into a negative budget every month ⤵️

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

As families struggle with rising living costs more and more children are pulled into poverty.

We're seeing an increase in the number of homes with children needing crisis support.

Join us on 29 April, 2-3pm to hear more ⤵️
https://t.co/yLxiAwFgrH #CADataInsights

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

19 million homeowners are interested in making their home more energy efficient.

But two-thirds (66%) of them are concerned about the cost.

Our latest report shows how the Government can make energy efficiency upgrades affordable for all homeowners ⤵️
https://t.co/4TYmV6rXQ2

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

What's issues are we seeing this month?

Our Director of Policy, Tom MacInnes, highlights why Personal Independence Payment is so important to the people who come to us for help ⤵️ #CADataInsights

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

The number of people we help with debt issues reached record levels in January this year.

With debt becoming so varied and lenders having different priorities and collection practices, managing and giving advice on debt is much more complex ⤵️

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

People are in debt.

We’re seeing this with the increase in the number of people coming to us for help with debt, and the size of the debt burden.

But why is this? Join us on 25 February, 2-3pm to hear more ⤵️
https://t.co/7yybkpWWXk #CADataInsights

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

Cost-of-living pressures eased slightly during the warmer months.

But our data shows that things are still significantly worse than before the crisis.

It's evident that the cost-of-living crisis is far from over.

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

If you’re in debt to your energy supplier, you should get debt advice from a charity or organisation.

National providers of free debt advice include Citizens Advice, StepChange and the National debtline.

Find out more ⤵️
https://t.co/XCOyqum3vn

[Nina San @NinaSofiaSan]

Citizens Advice is currently live on #TheOneShow! We’re talking about the disability aids market and why this is failing consumers. A short thread on some of the key findings from our research 🧵

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

In 2023 we received 1 complaint every hour about a disability aid purchase, like mobility scooters, stairlifts and hearing aids.

Disabled people are being failed by a market that should be improving their quality of life.

We’re calling for a review of the market.

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

🎉 Today marks 85 years since Citizens Advice was founded in 1939!

A lot has changed in that time, so let’s take a look back at the last 85 years of the people’s champion…

#WeAreCitizensAdvice #85YearsOfThePeoplesChampion

[Tom Brooke Bullard @Tbrookebullard]

With energy bills set to rise by £150, new @citizensadvice research finds that one in four people are so concerned about the rising price of energy this winter that they could be forced to turn their heating or hot water off. A thread👇

[Citizens Advice Energy @CAenergypolicy]

This morning Citizens Advice has published a report on the ongoing challenges people are facing with energy affordability, and the need for better targeted support ahead of a challenging rise in the price cap and a difficult winter for our clients. https://t.co/AkqvXtOU6Q

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

What is a hate crime?

If you’ve experienced a crime, it’s a hate crime if you think the person's behaviour was motivated by prejudice against you, such as because of your race or religion.

Our advice can help you check if you’ve experienced a hate crime ⤵️
https://t.co/wUftfizD1m

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

2 years ago we found that people of colour were paying £250 more for car insurance than white people.

New research shows the gap has widened, and now stands at over £300.

The FCA must act.

Read our new report here: https://t.co/XtZxUXa765