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The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers.

Every Citizens Advice Bureau is a registered charity reliant on trained volunteers and funds to provide these vital services for local communities.

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Make a resolution, save for next Christmas

29 December 2009

The OFT and Citizens Advice are urging people who have struggled financially this Christmas to start thinking now about saving for next year.

As part of the OFT's Save Xmas campaign, selected Citizens Advice Bureaux and other organisations will be running 240 financial workshop sessions in the new year to raise awareness of savings options and encourage people to start saving.

The workshops will be targeted at priority groups including housing association tenants, lone parents, and those on benefits or low incomes.

In the 18 month period to the end of September 2009, Citizens Advice dealt with more than 3 million client debt problems and is encouraging people to think ahead.

John Rhodes, Head of Financial Capability at Citizens Advice said:

"Christmas will have given many people a debt hangover that they might have been able to avoid. We're encouraging people to plan for next year, find out about the options available and set up a savings plan. This should help reduce the need for expensive credit, and limit the financial and emotional challenges associated with problem debt."

The OFT and Citizens Advice have put together the following top tips

  • Plan early - be realistic about what you are going to need for next year and budget accordingly.
  • Look at your options - find out about the pros and cons of post office, bank, building society and credit union savings schemes, as well as Christmas clubs, supermarket stamps and hamper schemes. Details on all the options are available at (New window) www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/savexmas
  • Take action – choose the best option for you, and start putting some money aside.

Since 2007, more than 40,000 people have attended Save Xmas workshop sessions. Independent research found that attendees developed greater confidence about choosing savings options and 38 per cent went on to make some change to their saving behaviour.

David Murphy, Head of Campaigns at the Office of Fair Trading, said:

"Christmas does tend to focus the mind on money issues, and we hope our campaign delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice will help people to think about  the importance of making informed choices about saving for next year."

Further information on the Save Xmas campaign is available at (New window) www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/savexmas

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see www.citizensadvice.org.uk
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality. For online advice and information see (New window) www.adviceguide.org.uk
  3. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 7.1 million problems from April 2009 to March 2010, an 18% increase on the previous year. For full 2009/2010 service statistics see: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/press_20100517
  4. Out of 22 national charities, the Citizens Advice service is ranked by the general public as being the most helpful, approachable, professional, informative, effective / cost effective, reputable and accountable. (nfpSynergy’s Brand Attributes survey, May 2010).
  5. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,300 service outlets across England and Wales.
  6. Volunteer hotline 08451 264264 (local rate)