Citizens Advice Leeds is a local charity working for a fairer society.
We’re also part of a national network of 300 local organisations – the Citizens Advice service – that helps 2.7 million people a year.
By working together we’re able to evidence how national policies are affecting people in Leeds and throughout the country.
Here are some of the campaigns we’re working on:
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is the biggest change ever made to the benefits system. By 2022 more than 7 million households will be receiving it, over half of whom will be in work. With so many people affected, it’s vital that Universal Credit works well for everyone, including more vulnerable claimants and those who may struggle with online systems.
Citizens Advice Leeds has contributed to the national Citizens Advice campaign to improve Universal Credit and many of the changes we’ve called for have been introduced including:
- Removing the 7 waiting days for a first payment
- Making the Universal Credit helpline free
- Improving arrangements for advance payments and housing costs
Universal Credit full service was introduced in Leeds in October 2018 and we are monitoring the effects for local people and continuing to press for improvements where they are needed.
Find out more about the national campaign here.
Find out more about how we’re helping people to claim Universal Credit here.
Debt and High Cost Credit
Citizens Advice Leeds has campaigned over many years for the protection of consumers through greater regulation of high cost credit.
In 2013 the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced a cap on payday loans, which they estimate saves borrowers around £150million a year. The FCA have now confirmed they are extending that protection to cap the cost of credit in the rent-to-own sector from 1 April 2019.
We’re pleased that consumers are being protected from the excessive costs of rent to own products and we’ll continue to press for protection to be extended to door-step lending and unauthorised overdrafts.
Scams Awareness
We often see the effects of scams which can lead to the loss of significant sums of money and to victimisation and abuse. As scamming techniques have become more sophisticated, all of us are vulnerable to this kind of fraud.
To protect yourself and others if you suspect or are subject to scamming activity, report it to one or more of the following agencies:
Citizens Advice Consumer Service
Helpline: 03454 04 05 06
Textphone: 18001 03454 04 05 06
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Action Fraud
Telephone: 0300 123 2040
Textphone: 0300 123 2050
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
- If you’ve shared your bank details contact your bank straight away.
- If you’ve been threatened with violence, report it to the police on 101.
Give as much information as you can – for example, dates, names and email addresses.
You can find more information at:
