We contributed to a national and local debate on International Women’s Day. We drew on multiple sources to cover the impact of the pandemic on equality at work and at home. We raised the desperate need to tackle domestic abuse – it must no longer be a ‘women’s issue’ but an Everyone Problem. We worked with ESDAS and RBWA to highlight issues on social media.

Half a million UK private tenants are in rent arrears. We joined charities, landlords and housing finance groups in an unusual collective call on the chancellor to prevent a homelessness crisis. The pandemic ban on evictions was extended to 31 May. Very welcome, but renters still living with insecurity and anxiety need an enduring solution. Only reform legislation will solve problems that face every part of the sector. See a new Citizens Advice national report: How the pandemic exacerbated existing problems and what that means for the Renters’ Reform Bill.

Since the pandemic began our CARBS advisers have helped 1400 people claim universal credit.  We supported the CA network #KeepTheLifeline campaign from the start. Our media brief set out the case. The government has extended the £20 a week Covid uplift until September, but still plans a cliff-edge reduction in the incomes of some of the poorest families by over £80 between one month and the next.