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1. Over the past 6 months, we’ve advised more first-time clients. We’ve seen more clients coming with issues about employment, housing, and hardship, reflecting the detrimental economic impact Covid has had on many people. Here is a thread of our key findings @CitizensAdvice
2. The rise in employment issues reflects growing redundancies, but also issues with furlough, SEISS and low statutory sick pay rates. These problems have left many clients experiencing hardship and falling into debt @SWLLawCentres
3. For many of our clients, their benefits have not been enough to live off. Many clients have been left without money for rent, bills and food. We would like to see the benefit cap removed to reduce the amount of people experiencing destitution @CPAGUK @Z2K_trust
4. Many more clients are coming to us in crisis, without money for basic essentials. We are grateful to @WandsworthFB, and for @wandbc discretionary support schemes. But, we need an expansion in council welfare, and more support for those without recourse to public funds
5. Poverty, disability, or old age can make technology inaccessible. We are concerned that the shift to online services has left some people behind, making it difficult to access employment, benefits, and our services. We need more local efforts to stop digital exclusion
6. Job losses and low income from benefits have left many of our clients unable to pay their bills, and falling into debt. We would like to see support for those in debt increased, to avoid the anxiety and hardship that comes with being in debt @SWLLawCentres
7. Many clients have fallen into debt with their landlords. We have already seen some clients illegally evicted due to rent arrears. We are concerned without greater support for tenants, we soon face a tsunami of homelessness @Shelter @SWLLawCentres
