Citizens Advice Harlow
Manifesto for Essex

A fairer Essex through free, independent advice

A vision for Greater Essex

Imagine a Greater Essex where no one falls through the cracks, where the right advice reaches people before crisis hits. Where debt, housing insecurity, employability, and poverty are tackled not at the point of emergency, but as part of a proactive and joined-up public service system.

Why now?

The introduction of devolution and creation of a mayoral combined authority, and reorganisation of local government across the county, mark a turning point in how services are designed and delivered. Alongside this, the government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods and the NHS’s 10-Year Plan provide a unique platform to reshape how we support residents facing hardship and build long-term resilience, prosperity, and wellbeing in our communities.

This moment is not just about structural change. It is an opportunity to be bold.

This manifesto sets out a clear and practical roadmap to embed advice at the heart of Essex’s public services, ensuring that wherever someone lives, and whatever their circumstances, they can access the right support at the right time. It calls on system leaders to seize this moment to integrate advice into the everyday delivery of health, housing, employment, and community services so that no one is left behind.

What is new in this manifesto?

This is not about protecting what already exists. It is about transforming what advice can do. This manifesto calls for:

• An Essex Advice Guarantee, so every resident can access free, impartial help when they need it.

• Advice in GP surgeries and family hubs, where clinicians prescribe not just medication, but the right advice to improve lives.

• A Local Advice Partnership in every district, aligning NHS, councils, and community groups around early intervention.

• Investment in advice infrastructure and digital innovation

• Lived experience and client voice embedded in the Combined Authority’s decision-making.

This manifesto outlines a bold and practical vision for embedding advice at the heart of a fairer, healthier, and more resilient Essex.

1) A greater “Essex Advice Guarantee”

No wrong door. No postcode lottery. Just free, impartial help when it is needed.

• Ensure every resident has access to high-quality, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated debt advice, alongside support for benefits, housing, energy, employment, and family issues. Regulation is essential to guarantee consistent, high-quality advice that meets national standards.

• Help underserved communities through outreach and targeted commissioning, and focus on rural and coastal communities.

• Protect face-to-face access for those who are digitally excluded or vulnerable.

2) Advice as part of “Prevention”

Tackling issues early before they spiral into crises.

• We should build on Citizens Advice Harlow’s successful model of advice in GP surgeries, where advice is part of the prescription of treatment. Co-created with clinicians and supported by the Integrated Care Board, this approach has shown how addressing debt, housing, or benefit issues alongside clinical needs can improve outcomes, reduce health inequalities, and ease pressure on the NHS.

• Embed advice in GP surgeries, family hubs, and other front-line services.

• Commission advice as part of preventative strategies in health, housing, neighbourhood centers, and social care.

• Evidence shows that every £1 invested in advice services delivers at least £14 in public value. Integrating advice into health and social care systems helps prevent escalation into costlier statutory services, cutting avoidable GP visits, housing evictions, and mental health crises.

3) A sustainable, strategic advice sector

Good advice saves money, prevents harm, and supports public service outcomes.

• Move from short-term grants to multi-year, outcome-based funding for local advice.

• Invest in advice infrastructure, including digital systems, workforce development, and shared platforms.

• Recognise Citizens Advice as a strategic delivery partner in Mayoral plans for growth, fairness, employability, and wellbeing.

• Recognise the difference between informal guidance, which can be given by anyone, and certified quality assured advice delivered by organisations accredited under the Advice Quality Standard (AQS). Embedding AQS-certified advice within a greater Essex strategy ensures residents receive reliable, trusted, and accountable support.

4) A “Local Advice Partnership” in every district

Powerful local collaboration to solve shared problems.

• Create Local Advice Partnerships (LAPs) bringing together Councils, NHS, DWP, the Community and Voluntary Sector.

• Use shared data to identify unmet needs and co-design responses.

• Enable advice organisations to contribute to local delivery plans and strategic boards.

5) Client voice and community insight

Let those with lived experience shape the future.

• Involve advice clients in Mayoral planning and service reform.

• Use Citizens Advice data to inform policy on debt, energy poverty, benefit access, housing insecurity, and cost of living.

• Fund research and innovation into new advice delivery models that reflect the realities of modern life.

Why regulation and certification matter.

Debt advice is regulated by the FCA, ensuring that clients receive consistent, safe, and high-quality support. Similarly, the AQS certifies that organisations meet rigorous standards in governance, client care, and advice delivery. This is what sets trusted, professional advice apart from informal guidance, and it can truly change lives.

Our call to action for Mayoral candidates

We ask every candidate to commit to:

• Backing the greater Essex advice guarantee.

• Use influence to secure funding for advice as part of your prevention and fairness strategy.

• Meet with the Citizens Advice Harlow and the wider network within your first 100 days in office.

• Appointing Mayoral lead for Advice and Inclusion.

• Influencing local government reform so lived experience shapes decisions and drives lasting change that reflects need.

A fairer Essex is possible - but only if everyone can get the advice they need when they need it.

This manifesto was prepared by Citizens Advice Harlow based on local insight, service delivery experience, and ongoing engagement with stakeholders across Essex. It is intended to stimulate discussion and invite wider contributions from the Citizens Advice network, local authorities, NHS, and partners to deliver this vision together.