Green Councillors slam debt advice cuts

7th May

Green Party Councillor Bernard Little has condemned Government plans to cut vital debt advice services across the country. The Government's Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) which helps to fund these services has been reduced by £14 million over the three years from 2008-11. A Government report in March 2007 had promised "to work towards promoting financial inclusion".

Coun Little said, "It's appalling that these services are being cut just when
people need them most. Debt is soaring, with rising food prices, the credit
crunch, the loss of the 10p tax band and house repossessions. The cuts in
support means that every FIF project is being asked to find savings of nearly 20% per year and 60 debt advisers from the original 350 posts in the 2006-08 FIF programme will be removed.

"Sheffield has some of the poorest wards in the UK and is ranked as the 60th most deprived local authority area in England. The Sheffield Citizens Advice FIF was set up because of high levels of poverty and a shortage of independent debt advice.

"I have written to the Treasury about my concerns but have so far received no reply. These cuts must be halted and appropriate funding put in place to ensure we meet the goal of ensuring everybody has access to independent debt advice."

ENDS