I should declare an interest here as I am the Chair of the Cardigan & District CAB and Joint Chair of the Shadow Ceredigion CAB Trustee Board and I can not over-state the amazing work that the volunteers and staff members do to help vulnerable residents in our locality - particularly in what are economically trying times.Here in Cardigan, we have used the funding to provide 2 caseworkers who have seen 280 new clients over the past 12 months, but with the sword of damocles hanging above their heads, we have had concerns about the provision of debt advice if the funding is not continued or replaced.
In the last few days before the announcement was made, Ceredigion's MP Mark Williams spoke in a Westminster debate on the availability of debt management advice.
He commented:
“The Government are rightly looking at where cuts can be made to reduce the deficit, but I am concerned that scrapping the Financial Inclusion Fund could be a false economy.
“Many people have benefited from debt management advice, and it has allowed people to manage their debts while staying in work.
“A phone and online advice service is no substitute for face-to-face advice, particularly for vulnerable clients and those with mental health problems, who may find it difficult to understand what can be complex issues over the phone.
“I hope that the Government will rethink this, as it is vital that we have this advice in place during what have been difficult financial times for many.”
He also wrote to Lib Dem Business Minister Ed Davey MP, urging him to retain the funding. I'm delighted that the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Mark Hoban MP has now made the announcement.
It may only be a one-year reprieve at present but it's great news for the CABs across the UK and most importantly, for the clients who rely on the advice and support given.
I find it difficult to understand how the Govt were proposing to cut this funding and they need to sort out the long term and not just for 2011-12.
ReplyDeleteDebt is my job and no, I have nothing to do with the CAB, other than referring some people to them, but debt is not just an issue for the poorer in society, but will hit more of the middle classes who were under the illusion that you can have everything now. These are the same people who will be losing their jobs, or seeing salaries frozen or even cut.
The only ones not affected will still be the bankers on their huge bonuses.
I was happy to stop bashing the bankers. Then read an excellent article by Trevor Kavanagh and said we should only stop bashing them once all the money has been repaid to the Government.
Seems fair enough to me, to verbally bash them! I am sure they can hack it, with the millions in bonuses they are now getting, whilst everyone else is seeing cuts.