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Social
Policy - Current Campaigns
So as well as
giving advice, we campaign for changes in policies and services
where improvements are needed. We have been taking part in the
following campaigns
Post
Office Closures
The
Government has announced its plans to close 2,500 post offices over
the next 18 months. Citizens Advice says that essential services
must be maintained for the most vulnerable in some form. The
CAB's recent survey about Post office services found
that
more than 90% of
respondents said they would be personally affected if their local
post
office
were to close.
Three-quarters said their community would be significantly
affected.
Click here to read
the CAB press release.
Job Centre
Plus:
There have
been some difficulties in people making fresh claims especially
around Crisis loans. Hull CAB has liaised with Social
Fund staff and we also attend meetings with Job Centre Plus staff
so we can pass on any information and iron out the type of problems
you are facing.
Tenancy
Deposit Protection
From
6 April 2007, all deposits taken by landlords for Assured Shorthold
Tenancies
(the vast
majority of tenancies) must be protected by a tenancy deposit
protection scheme.
Landlords were required to join a statutory tenancy deposit scheme,
if they take deposits. The scheme offers alternative ways of
resolving disputes which aims to be faster and
cheaper than
taking court action.
Click here
to read about
the Tenancy Deposit Protection scheme on the adviceguide
website.
Hull CAB
joined forces with the Warren and the Local Age Concern to promote
the changes and the CAB will be monitoring the working of the
scheme over the coming months.
Local
Housing Allowance.
Local Housing
Allowance (LHA) is expected to come into effect from April 2008 for
all new HB claims from private tenants plus existing claims where a
private tenant moves house. Prior to this taking effect Hull
CAB plan to liaise with the Rent Service and the local
authority to
ensure a smooth implementation.
Flood
questionnaire
Following the
floods in June, we are monitoring the services that people have
received.
If you have
experienced any problems with insurance, builders, debt,
social fund loans,
consumer
problems or anything connected with the floods please take the time
to
complete a
questionnaire. You can do this online or can get a paper copy
from
the receptionist
at the Bureau.
We also work
with policymakers, regulators, MPs and service
providers.
Citizens
Advice regularly publish evidence reports, briefings, responses to consultations and parliamentary briefings. These documents can
be viewed on our national website www.citizensadvice.org.uk, or click the links above to
go directly to the section.
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