Citizens Advice’s submission to the 2026 Autumn Budget

Citizens Advice’s submission to the 2026 Autumn Budget 2.38 MB

Citizens Advice helps almost 3 million people through our frontline advice work every year. 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.

Our network of 228 local offices sits at the heart of communities across England and Wales, supporting millions of people each year on issues ranging from housing and debt to employment. Because we capture data on every single interaction, we have a unique, real-time window into the problems people face up and down the country. 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 2026 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, including action on energy, employment, social security, consumer, health, housing and community infrastructure.