The story of influence

the story of influence cover The twin aims of the Citizens Advice service are expressed today as: 'To provide the advice people need for the problems they face, and to improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives'. Although the wording was different 70 years ago, the intention was the same, and this brief summary of our social policy work emphatically shows how we have fulfilled that aim from the very beginning.

The last 70 years have seen an intense pace of change, dramatic developments in the way we live our lives, and increased expectations across society. From 1939, when a new generation faced the unfamiliar problems of war, to today’s recession, when many people are facing redundancy and debt for the first time, Citizens Advice Bureaux have been open to everyone to offer advice on any subject, and advisers have consistently alerted policy makers to the impact of their decisions on real people.

This history tracks the CAB service’s action on policy issues from the particular difficulties of war-time – such as bombs and rationing – through the rise of consumer issues in the 1950s, a particular influx of housing problems in the ‘60s, benefit confusion in the 80s, and up to the sudden and dramatic impacts of the economic crash of 2008.

Many of the problems will be familiar to readers of all generations, while others are specific to their time, but they all involve the commitment of bureau advisers nationwide, and the passion of central policy teams – all of whom join the Citizens Advice service to make the world a better place.

The story of influence ( 2mb)