Whoever you are, whatever the problem
Research and Campaigns
Working for change
We are the leading information, advice and guidance organisation across the city region. We help people with tens of thousands of problems each year. This gives us a unique insight into the challenges people are facing across Greater Manchester, and it gives us a wealth of evidence to try and fix the underlying causes of these problems.
We use this insight to change policy and practices at a local, regional and national level.
For regular updates on our policy work, visit our Medium page, sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on LinkedIn and Bluesky.
Current Priorities
Raising Living Standards
Following positive announcements in the Autumn Budget and Child Poverty Strategy, including plans to scrap the two-child limit and address high energy bills, we continue to push for measures such as unfreezing Local Housing Allowance, and removal of the Benefit Cap. Our goal is stronger action to protect those most affected by the living standards crisis.
Furnished Social Housing in Greater Manchester
We are monitoring and collecting evidence on the impact of unfurnished housing across Greater Manchester, drawing on client experiences and wider data. Working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and End Furniture Poverty, we aim to increase access to furnished social housing from the current 2% to 10%. By highlighting the barriers faced when moving into unfurnished properties, we make the case for practical solutions that prevent hardship and improve lives.
Temporary Accommodation in Greater Manchester
We are closely monitoring and collecting evidence on the challenges faced by people placed in temporary accommodation. By sharing this evidence with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, we are working in partnership to raise concerns and press for improvements in how temporary accommodation is provided across the region.
Disability Benefits Review
We’re campaigning against the government’s proposed changes to disability benefits, urging the government to scrap the planned cuts, highlighting the serious and harmful impact they would have on disabled people and their families across Greater Manchester.
Additional Awareness Campaigns
Beyond our policy and advocacy work, we run ongoing campaigns focused on consumer protection and financial resilience. These provide practical information on issues like consumer rights, energy efficiency, and fraud prevention, helping to ensure that people across the region are informed and protected.
The national research areas
Welfare benefits is our largest advice area, giving us clear insights into the way the system works and the challenges it poses and Our employment queries give us an understanding of how the labour market is changing and the consequences for workers’ lives.
Covers regulated and unregulated markets allowing us to identify problems and draw comparisons about policies and practices.
Debt and money policy research
Citizens Advice helps hundreds of thousands of people with debt and money problems each year giving us insight into how we can prevent money problems and help people to recover.
Covers all housing tenures, highlighting problems and providing solutions to help everyone have a safe and secure place to live.