If you could only have one book to take you through life, Penguin’s new Citizens Advice Handbook should be the one.

It’s the ultimate survival guide to life in modern-day Britain.

Published to coincide with the national problem-solving charity’s Advice Week 2005, which runs from 12-18 September, the pocket-sized paperback is set to become the essential reference book for tackling everyday problems, big and small.

It’s the volume you’ll want to turn to at every critical stage in life, from when you start out on your own, settle down with a partner, start a family or a new job, move house, face redundancy or retirement or have to cope with adoption, divorce or bereavement.

The Citizens Advice Handbook is packed with an unbeatable store of authoritative information and practical, reliable, independent advice from the UK’s most trusted advice charity.

The book deals with a vast array of subjects, from birth to death and just about everything in between. It’s the only place you’ll find all this information in one volume on your bookshelf. Between its covers are the answers to questions ranging from ‘what should I do if I can’t get my child into the school I want?’ to ‘how does a small claims court work?’

Chapters cover Family; Health; Housing; Education; Employment; Communications; Consumer affairs; Travel and transport; Utilities; Civil rights; Legal system; Nationality and immigration; Tax; Credit and debt; Benefits and tax credits.

Based on a much-condensed version of the unrivalled in-house information system used by all CAB advisers in dealing with nearly six million problems a year, the book is a reliable source of authoritative information on everyday issues that range from money and consumer concerns to legal matters, employment disputes and civil rights.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive David Harker said:

“For most people, finding their way round the labyrinth of the countless laws, regulations, codes of practice, guidelines and procedures that govern our everyday life can be a nightmare – especially if it’s urgent and you’ve got a crisis on your hands.

“The Citizens Advice Handbook is designed to give you the basic information you need to get your head around a problem that needs solving, quickly and easily, whenever you need it.

“Our 66 years of CAB experience in giving information and advice to the public means we know that what people want is independent, reliable and jargon-free information about their rights and responsibilities. They want to know where they stand, what they can do about the problems they face and who can help them. This book has the answers.

“Whatever query you have, this book will help you. Whatever problem you’re facing, this book will show you how to set about solving it.”

Nigel Wilcockson. Penguin's Reference Publisher, said:

"Penguin is delighted to publish the Citizens Advice Handbook, which makes the invaluable expertise of the Citizens Advice service available through every good bookshop."

Citizens Advice Handbook; Penguin reference; Price £12; ISBN 0-141-01678-7.

Available from all good bookshops.

For book details go to Citizens Advice Handbook.