Key Social Issues Identified in Charity Report
Citizens Advice Guernsey has released its annual report, shedding light on pressing social issues that shape policy on the island. According to the latest findings, the predominant concerns for clients of Citizens Advice Guernsey (CAG) have remained consistent with previous years, albeit in a different order.
Top Social Issues in 2025
– Employment Contract Terms: Issues related to employment contracts have secured the top position, highlighting ongoing challenges in the workforce.
– Access to Affordable Housing: The second most pressing issue, indicating a growing concern around housing affordability among residents.
– Consumer Rights: Previously ranked first, concerns about consumer rights have dropped to third, suggesting a positive impact from newly implemented consumer legislation.
CAG noted a significant rise in issues faced by guest workers, emphasizing their commitment to publishing a comprehensive report once they have completed the 2025 data analysis.
Annual Trends and Insights
Each year, CAG focuses on social policy areas for analysis based on the frequency of client issues. Their advisers identify emerging trends and ongoing concerns to inform policymakers about the challenges facing the community.
– Client Increase: The charity has seen a slight increase in clients, growing from just under 3,000 in 2024 to over 3,000 in 2025.
– Persistent Challenges: The report highlights that rising energy costs and poverty remain serious issues that require urgent attention, significantly affecting more individuals than reported figures suggest.
At the beginning of 2025, the charity relocated to new premises and adopted a new database system, making direct comparisons with previous reports challenging. However, CAG stated that broad trends could still be observed despite these changes.
In 2024, CAG provided insights to relevant States of Guernsey committees on critical matters including discrimination, harassment, homelessness, and private rental deposits, underlining their proactive role in advocating for social justice.
As the landscape of social issues evolves, Citizens Advice Guernsey continues to play a vital role in highlighting these challenges to ensure a more informed approach to policy-making.