Autumn Budget 2025: Key recommendations from Citizens Advice

Autumn Budget 2025: Key recommendations from Citizens Advice

In 2024-25, Citizens Advice supported over 2.7 million people through our frontline advice work. We are at the heart of the communities we serve, which gives us unique insight into the financial pressures facing households across England and Wales. 

We continue to see significant numbers of clients whose incomes cannot keep pace with their essential costs. The number of people we help with food bank referrals are still at historically high levels, with children and disabled people often the worst impacted by this crisis in living standards. 

Our research shows that across the country, millions of people are currently in a negative budget, meaning their essential outgoings outstrip their income, which sees them struggling to afford the basics like food and housing costs. 

The 2025 Autumn Budget presents a critical opportunity for the Chancellor and Prime Minister to turn the tide on the living standards crisis. This formal submission - made to HM Treasury - outlines the measures we believe they must take as a matter of urgency, including action on social security, housing, energy and water bills, and advice infrastructure.