Lewes District
Research & Campaigns
We speak up for our clients
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No one else sees so many people with so many different kinds of problems. The information our clients share with us gives us a unique insight into the challenges people are facing today.
With the right evidence, we can show big organisations – from companies right up to the government – how they can make things better for people.
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We see how problems can be linked. By helping people with the underlying cause of their problems and making sure they don’t get worse, we save the government and public services hundreds of millions of pounds every year.
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Everyone who works for us contributes to this work, by identifying examples of unfairness and writing a report. These reports are dealt with by our team of dedicated volunteers who carry out further research and campaign to bring about improvements for the people of Lewes District.
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Response the Green Paper- Pathways to Work June 2025
Every day our trained volunteers and project staff provide free, confidential, independent, and impartial advice. We are the leading provider of generalist and specialist advice across the Lewes district. We have a dedicated welfare rights team who support clients to secure their entitlement to benefits. We also have a specialist autism advice service that operates 4 days per week across Lewes district and Brighton and Hove. Our support is open to all and delivered in the community, at our offices and via the phone, email, and video conferencing. We are a local, independent charity that is embedded within its community.
We support people to help them overcome the initial and underlying causes of their problems and are a voice for individuals on the issues that matter to them. Our primary focus is in tackling poverty, inequality, and reduced life opportunities. We support some of the most vulnerable and at-risk people in our communities, with many people coming to us in crisis.
Our support covers a range of services that are free of charge and include (but are not limited to) money advice & debt, food poverty, energy poverty, accessing and maintaining benefits, employment, education, housing, and equality issues. We undertake general signposting and provide vouchers for fuel, food, clothes and second-hand furniture for those in poverty.
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We have a key role to play in research and campaigning, both from national perspectives, but also with a local focus that strives to increase awareness and ultimately improve well- being for all. We seek to influence how local and national policies and procedures are developed and managed and campaign for change to improve people’s wellbeing.
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This paper sets out our response to the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working green paper published in March 2025 by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
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You can read the full paper on the downloadable PDF below.
Social Tariffs
Broadband, Water & Energy Help for People on Benefits
Millions Missing Out on Broadband and Utility Support
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Every year, £2.7 billion of financial help goes unclaimed.
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1.6 million households miss out on water discounts
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Up to 8.4 million people miss out on cheaper broadband deals
If you receive a means-tested benefit like Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or ESA,
you could be eligible for a social tariff –
a lower rate on essential services like water, broadband, and mobile
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Water Social Tariffs
Every water company in England and Wales offers a social tariff.
If you’re with:
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Southern Water – Call 0800 027 0363
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South East Water – Call 0800 952 400
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Or visit the Consumer Council for Water website for more information.
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Broadband and Mobile Tariffs
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If you're on a qualifying benefit, you may be eligible for a cheaper broadband or mobile deal.
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Check the list of available social tariffs on the Ofcom website
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Call Ofcom on 0300 123 3000 or 020 7981 3000
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Already with a provider? Ask them about their social tariff and how to switch
Energy Support
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There’s no national social tariff for energy yet, but many energy suppliers offer help schemes.
Example:
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EDF customers can call 03330 069 950
Contact your supplier to ask what support is available.
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Need Help?
We may be able to help with applications and energy bills if you are struggling.
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Or call us on 0808 278 7892 (option 4)
What does the general public know about their local Citizens Advice office?
Our work in 2024
In 2024 LDCA:
- Worked with 2129 people (2293 including energy advice)
- Supporting them with over 7000 differing issues
- Provided £500,00 in income gains and debts written off
- 61% of people were disabled or had a long term health condition
Addressing Living Standards: A Call for Action
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As the UK approaches its next general election on 4 July, concerns over living standards are at the forefront of many voters' minds. Here at Lewes District Citizens Advice, we're acutely aware of the challenges our community faces. A recent survey by Citizens Advice reveals a striking lack of confidence among the electorate regarding future improvements in living standards, highlighting the urgent need for tangible solutions from the incoming government.
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The Current Crisis​
We've seen firsthand the surge in demand for support with essential living costs. Since the last general election in 2019, Citizens Advice has reported:
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A 221% increase in individuals requiring food bank referrals or emergency support.
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A 113% rise in people seeking help due to falling behind on energy bills.
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A threefold increase in working people needing access to food banks or emergency support.
These figures underscore the ongoing struggle faced by many households, even as inflation shows signs of easing and the broader economy begins to recover.
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Voter Sentiment
The polling data commissioned by Citizens Advice paints a sobering picture:
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52% of voters do not believe that living standards will improve after the upcoming election.
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43% of UK voters find it harder to afford essentials now compared to six months ago.
This pervasive pessimism is reflected in voter priorities, with nearly 48% citing the cost of living or living standards as a key factor influencing their vote. This issue ranks just behind health and the NHS (58%) and ahead of other significant concerns like immigration (31%) and the economy (28%).
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A Call to Action
Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, emphasizes the urgency of the situation: "This is the living standards election. Voters will judge the next government on what they’ll do to tackle this."
Here at Lewes District Citizens Advice, we echo her sentiment. We see the impact of the cost-of-living crisis every day. We're helping someone with a living standards issue every five seconds. Too many people are barely treading water, constantly worried about the next bill dragging them under completely. Tackling falling living standards requires more than just lip service. It’s vital we see action that’ll make a genuine difference to people's lives within the first 100 days of a new government.
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Our Role at Lewes District Citizens Advice
At Lewes District Citizens Advice, we provide free, impartial advice on a wide range of issues. In the past year alone, Citizens Advice assisted 2.66 million people through face-to-face consultations, phone calls, emails, and web chats, and our website saw over 60 million visits.
Our extensive support network, backed by over 16,000 trained volunteers across more than 1,600 outlets, makes Citizens Advice the largest provider of free, multi-channel debt advice in the UK. This unique position offers invaluable insights into the financial struggles faced by individuals and families across the nation.
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Moving Forward
As the election draws near, it is imperative that political candidates address the pressing issue of living standards with actionable plans. Voters are looking for more than reassurances—they demand concrete measures to alleviate the financial pressures many currently endure. The data from Citizens Advice serves as a stark reminder of the challenges at hand and the critical need for effective governance that prioritizes the welfare of all citizens.
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Here at Lewes District Citizens Advice, we are committed to supporting our community through these challenging times. We stand ready to offer advice and assistance to those in need and will continue to advocate for effective solutions to improve living standards for all.
The National Red Index: how to turn the tide on falling living standards- Feb 2024
Negative budgets - a damning measure of living standards
Citizens Advice national teams of advisers help people with more problems than anyone else in the country - nearly 9 million a year. So we have a pretty clear view of the most urgent problems facing Britain as we head into an election year. A negative budget is the ultimate red line between making ends meet, and being pushed deeper and deeper into trouble. Its when your income is not enough to meet essential costs.
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In Lewes District (not including Peacehaven and East Saltdean as data has been generated on constituencies):
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5.19% of people are in a negative budget.
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54.4% said that the cost of living or living standards was one of the most important issues in determining how they will vote.
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78.33% said that negative budgets are an important issue.
The National Red Index report is a ground-breaking report from Citizens Advice that shows how almost 5 million people across the country are now in a household with a negative budget, including 1.5 million children. A further 2 million people are living on empty - cutting essential spending to unsafe levels, just to get by.
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Engaging Young People Report 2024
Engaging Young People in Lewes District: New Insights from Our Latest Report
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Lewes District Citizens Advice (LDCA) has undertaken a critical investigation into why we see so few clients aged 16-25 and how we can better engage this age group. Although young people represent around 8% of our local population, less than 3% of our clients in 2023 were under 25. This discrepancy highlights a significant area of need that we are committed to addressing.
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Our report, aims to identify and understand the advice needs and seeking behaviours of young people. The research involved a comprehensive review of existing literature on youth advice needs and behaviors, as well as direct insights from video meetings with six other local Citizens Advice services that have successfully implemented youth projects.
We encourage other organisations to share in our learning and collaborate to improve services for young people in our communities.
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This report has been shared with both National CitA and the Workplace Rural Communities group.
Meeting A Younger Audience 2024
This report, produced by our team for the Sussex Students Consultancy Project 2024, has been instrumental in shaping the future direction of Lewes District Citizens Advice. This report was not merely an academic exercise but a pivotal piece of work that has already begun to influence our operational strategies and outreach programs.
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Importance of the Report:
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Identifying Gaps and Opportunities: The report provided critical insights into the needs and preferences of young people in our community. By highlighting the existing gaps in our services and identifying opportunities for better engagement, it has enabled us to tailor our offerings more effectively to meet these needs.
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Strategic Direction: The findings have directly informed our strategic planning, allowing us to set clear, actionable goals for enhancing our support for young people. This includes developing new initiatives and refining existing programs to ensure they are more accessible and relevant.
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Resource Allocation: With a better understanding of where our efforts and resources can make the most impact, we have been able to allocate our budget and manpower more efficiently. This ensures that our services are not only more effective but also sustainable in the long term.​
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Internship and Future Plans:
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As a direct result of the insights and opportunities identified in the "Engaging Young People 2024" report, Dia Aziz from the Sussex University Student Consultancy Project 2024, has joined Lewes District Citizens Advice as the summer digital marketing intern. This internship is a testament to how such projects can create tangible pathways for professional development and enhance organisational capacity.
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Our Vision Moving Forward:
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Enhanced Social Media Presence: We are committed to leveraging social media more effectively to reach and engage young people. This includes creating content that resonates with them, utilising platforms they frequently use, and fostering a sense of community online. Our goal is to make our services more visible and accessible, thereby increasing engagement and support.
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Ongoing Research and Feedback: We plan to continue our research efforts to stay attuned to the evolving needs of young people. Regular feedback loops will be established to ensure that our services remain relevant and impactful.
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Youth-Centric Programs: Building on the recommendations from the report, we want to develop new programs specifically aimed at young people, tailored to the unique challenges faced by the youth in our community.
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Community Engagement Events: We want to organise a series of events designed to bring young people together, provide them with valuable information and resources, and foster a sense of belonging within the community. These events will also serve as platforms for us to gather further insights and feedback.
The "Engaging Young People 2024" report has been a cornerstone in our efforts to better serve the youth of Lewes District. By transforming the insights from the report into actionable strategies, we aim to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for young people, ensuring that they have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.