Have 5mins this lunchtime? Then read this fab blog by @EmerDemeza on why Sunak and Starmer need to focus on what really matters to voters this election: #LivingStandards wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/sunak-and-star…

Wages rising 6% is good news, but will it make a difference for the 636,000 working households in a negative budget? 1 in 3 households in a negative budget include someone who’s in work. More than half these households include someone working full time. 🧵1/

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer will head to Grimsby and Cleethorpes this evening to set out their priorities for government in the #BattleForNo10 Sky News debate. Let's zoom in on what issues are a priority for people living there... ⤵️🧵

Not surprising that the first audience question is about #LivingStandards. CitizensAdvice since Jan, we’ve helped 6000 people every day with a cost-of-living issue #BattleForNo10

At the last 3 elections, our top advice issues CitizensAdvice were all about accessing benefits. Today, 2 of the top 3 are about the cost of living — energy problems, and food banks/emergency charitable support. Find out more: eventbrite.co.uk/e/june-citizen… #LivingStandardsElection

Worryingly new data out today shows even if energy bills returned to pre-crisis levels, 1.5 million more people would be in the red than before prices started to climb. More targeted support is needed via the Warm Homes Discount #LivingStandardsElection wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/the-energy-aff…

Striking that 58% of people don't think politicians are talking enough about what they'll do to tackle the #CostOfLiving. Since the election was announced 5 weeks ago, CitizensAdvice has helped 30,000 people with crisis support e.g. food banks & charity grants. Action is needed

Today, energy prices will fall by 7%. But that won't lift many of the people we help with debt out of a negative budget - where their income can’t cover their essentials. Spending 7% less on energy bills would only have lifted 1% of the people we help with debt out of the red.

"Where a referral to a food bank or a crisis charity grant was once an emergency measure, it’s now often the default because the people coming to us have already cut back on everything they possibly can." Powerful article by CitizensAdvice Clare Moriarty #LivingStandardsElection

Voting today? 🗳️ Here's what you need to remember ✅ #GeneralElection

Which candidate is offering to build more water features in parks, send out free tennis balls and have compulsory biscuit time twice a day?#dogsatpollingstations

Nearly 5 million people are in a negative budget. This means they're building up debt to get by, cutting their essential spending back to unsafe levels. If this was you, would you be able to survive on a negative budget? ⤵️

5 million people can’t afford their essential costs. Time for the new govt to use negative budgets as a measure of hardship to help develop & evaluate the impact of new policies #LivingStandards

.CitizensAdvice we're helping 1 person every 5 seconds with a cost of living issue, which is terrifying. The expected #KingsSpeech renters reform & workers rights legislation is a good start, but more is needed to improve #LivingStandards

In today’s #KingsSpeech the new government set out their priorities.  It’s good to see a focus on support for renters and a commitment to ending no-fault evictions. Likewise a promise to bring in the long-awaited employment rights bill 1/3

Out today: new report on the grim picture facing PRS renters ⚠️4.3 million are living with mould + damp, even in summer ⚠️1 in 3 have had to borrow to pay rent ⚠️3.9m who faced disrepair didn't complain. Almost half for fear of eviction or rent hike 👇

The new govt has promised lots around workers rights recently, but it's essential that any changes protect the most vulnerable - people we help CitizensAdvice everyday. So what does this look like for the new #FairWorkAgency ? 👇

Great role going in our brilliant public affairs team. A new government and a parliament full of fresh faces means there couldn't be a more exciting time to find opportunities to solve the most pressing problems facing people in the UK today. More here: jobtrain.co.uk/citizensadvice…

Last night Citizens Advice Sunderland's office was badly damaged following riots in the city. We're working with the team in Sunderland to provide support to them and help them be there for the people who need advice going forward. Our services are closed on weekends (1/2)

Parts of the UK are currently experiencing far-right riots and racist attacks. If you’re worried about going to work or an urgent appointment, there are things you can do to stay safe. Our advice can help ⤵️ citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts…