Listen
Investing in debt advice
23/02/2009
A million pounds of Government funding will be spent across Scotland to help hundreds of families with debt problems.
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) is allocating the first tranche to fund nine of its nationwide offices to support debt and money advice.
CAS has made awards ranging from 10,000 pounds to just over £20,000 to advice offices in Bellshill, Coatbridge, Aberdeen, Angus, Easterhouse, Peebles, Roxburgh, Ross and Cromarty and West Lothian.
In total, £395,000 will be allocated before the end of March with the remainder, £714,000, being distributed in the next financial year.
Speaking after visiting a Citizens Advice Scotland office in Coatbridge, Communities and Housing Minister, Alex Neil said:
"These are challenging economic times for communities across Scotland. Families and individuals struggling with debt can frequently feel stressed, isolated and at their wits end.
"That's why the Scottish Government has taken swift action to help families in need of debt advice.
"Citizens Advice Scotland has an unequalled track record of delivering expert, impartial advice and its national network of advice centres will ensure that this funding reaches every corner of Scotland."
CAS Chief Executive Kaliani Lyle said:
"As the economic recession bites, our staff are dealing with an increased volume of calls from people seeking debt advice.
"Redundancies, evictions and rent arrears are placing intolerable strain on communities across Scotland.
"We are pleased that the Scottish Government is backing our front-line advice work with additional funding, which will be rolled out across the country."
Allocations to the nine CAS offices are as follows:
- Bellshill £12,900.
- Coatbridge £20,413.
- Aberdeen £10,000.
- Angus £19,903.
- Easterhouse £19,330.
- Peebles £13,647.
- Roxburgh £20,965.
- Ross and Cromarty £16,951.
- West Lothian £17,430.
In total, £395,000 will be allocated in this financial year 2008-09 and £714,000 in the next financial year 2009-10.