1 agos 2014 año - Start of Research and Campaigns

Descripción:

In 2014, the Millfield House Foundation agreed to fund a Research and Campaigns post for a year.

This position aimed to improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives. As a service, Citizens Advice Newcastle has a vast amount of insight and data about the problems our clients and their wider communities face.

Through research and campaigns, Citizens Advice Newcastle uses this insight to:
- Conduct further research into issues
- Influence decision-makers to change policies and practices
- Campaign for changes in policies and practices

What began as a one-year funding arrangement eventually became a contract renewed every three years. This position performs the work of social policy volunteers but is a more permanent role.

Some of the early research and campaign work included:
- Tracking trends in poverty and discrimination by ward/postcode
- Examining council tax collection and bailiff referrals
- Investigating zero-hour contracts and the job insecurity and hardship they cause families
- Gathering 15,000 signatures to make Employment & Support Allowance (ESA) 'fit for work'
- Providing evidence to Parliament regarding benefit sanctions
- Campaigning to ensure that both governmental and non-governmental agencies meet the needs of clients who cannot access online or IT services
- Submitting recommendations to improve Northumbrian Water's approach to customer arrears
- Partnering with National Citizens Advice to campaign against retaliatory evictions, which often occur when tenants exercise their right to request essential repairs and maintenance

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