Boost for money and housing advice services

New services to provide advice on issues such as debt, money management and housing to Wales’ poorest communities have been given the go-ahead after the Welsh Labour Government announced £2.4 million of new funding this month.

The current economic climate and the Tory-led UK Government’s cuts to welfare have seen the demand for advice services increase considerably. This new package of funding from the Welsh Government will allow Citizens Advice Cymru to deliver advice services directly in 36 Communities First Clusters across the country to meet this growing demand.

Communities First is the Welsh Government’s flagship programme to help those living in the top 10 per cent most deprived communities in Wales. It works to improve health, prosperity and access to education and learning.

A recent consultation by the Welsh Government suggests that the location of advice services has a large impact on whether people use them. The cost of travel, fear of being stigmatised and lack of awareness are all barriers to people turning for help.

This funding will allow advice services to be strengthened and be based in the communities that need them the most. Research also shows people on low incomes prefer face to face advice. This new money will go towards creating new outreach services to further reach these groups. It is estimated that the new services will work with over 19,000 individuals.

This expansion of advice services is a key part of the Welsh Government’s Tackling Poverty Action Plan that targets resources to prevent poverty and its impact on people’s lives.