Advice service ‘devastated’ at funding cut

ADVICE services in the region will have to change after a 20 per cent cut to their funding, say bosses.

Councillors last week agreed to slash the budget for Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service.

In response, the charity’s CEO Phil Stewart described it as devastating, adding: “It’s very difficult to understand why a council would cut a service that brings money into the region and supports those that are most in need.

“We are appreciative of not losing all our funding as was proposed but disappointed to have lost such a significant amount.”

They are meeting officials on March 18 to discuss it more, but in the meantime ‘painful decisions’ will need to be made, along with reshaping the service.

Mr Stewart said: “It will unfortunately mean the loss of experienced, capable and dedicated staff.

“Based upon our most recent figures, during a full financial year it would mean: 1600 less clients being supported through 8000 less issues; £2million less being put back into clients’ pockets; £1.7million less in unmanageable debt we cannot support.

“I have absolutely no doubt that it will negatively impact families and the most vulnerable.”

He further pointed out it equates to a loss of economic and social value to the region of £2.25 million in this financial year.

Meanwhile, a plea has been made for more volunteers to get involved to help the service do as much as possible in the future.