Election candidates are sent two-page Citizens’ Manifesto
CITIZENS Advice Guernsey has sent a two-page manifesto to all candidates, asking them to address what it says are real problems that are causing voters to seek help from the charity.
The document lists some of the main issues on which its volunteer advisers are regularly being asked for help.
n Insolvency problems saw 104 clients require support with £4.3m. of unaffordable debt last year and the charity wants an insolvency law introduced for individuals.
n In 2019, 54% of enquiries related to third parties, not having the perceived capacity to manage their own affairs while 12% of enquiries related to sudden, unaccustomed interest shown by a third party in an elderly/infirm person. CAG argues that lasting power of attorney similar to the UK and Jersey is needed.
n Rental deposits is another issue it wants addressed. It says 93% of its clients would have benefitted from a deposits scheme. Both Jersey and the UK have schemes where deposits are held by third parties.
n In 2016, the States agreed to introduce consumer protection laws, but there has been little progress. The greatest number of issues reported to the charity related to building work and home improvements, followed by telephone and internet issues.
The charity’s Chief Executive Officer Mrs Kerry Ciotti said: ‘Every year Citizens Advice Guernsey gives free, confidential and impartial advice to around 4,000 islanders, which is around eight percent of the adult population. From this we collect anonymous data and compile statistics that show what’s consistently troubling islanders and give those reports to the States. We see very clear patterns and trends, which highlight the areas where the States could formulate policies that would make a very real difference.’
Mrs Ciotti added: ‘Many of the problems we see could be prevented, so we want to help candidates to cut through the election noise to understand what’s actually troubling islanders. Those who are elected will then be in a position to focus on the real, day-to-day problems that we’re seeing again and again.’
The Citizens’ Manifesto sets out the statistics and suggestions on the four subject areas from islanders’ enquiries.
‘Everyone at Citizens Advice Guernsey is passionate about helping people, but what we’d really love to see is for some of these problems to be solved once and for all.
‘That’s why we’ve highlighted four issues that really could be quick wins for the next States. They are insolvency, lasting power of attorney, rental deposits and consumer protection.
‘They may not be the most fashionable or talked-about issues, but they are certainly having a very real impact on local lives and could be easily resolved.’
Representatives of Citizens Advice Guernsey will be available to speak to at GDA and Work, Rights and Wellbeing Hustings on Wednesday 16 and Wednesday 23 September respectively.
n To download a copy of the Citizens’ Manifesto visit https://citizensadvice.org.gg/ email or call 242734
