Budget saving option would cost region much more

THE proposal to axe £905,000 of crucial council funding to the citizens’ advice service would effectively rob the region of £45m. The short-sighted move makes no financial sense because every £1 invested into citizens’ advice services generates around £50 for the local economy, according to academic research. Research from the University of Bath showed that for every £1 invested in citizens advice services provides £50 of economic and social value. Philip Stewart, chief executive of Dumfries and Galloway Citizens’ Advice Service (DAGCAS), said: “Imagine the impact of this being lost to the region.” A 2018 study by the University of Bath found that the Citizens Advice Bureau in Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) generated a social return on investment (SROI) of 1:50 – or a £50 value for every £1 invested – over a five-year period for its clients. This research focused specifically on the BANES branch and measured both direct financial outcomes (like benefits, debt write-offs, and grants) and “softer” outcomes such as reduced stress, anxiety, and improved health. Philip Stewart said: “Effectively, for every pound the council takes off us, the region loses £50. “But this goes beyond just finances. The real cost is people not getting food in their bellies. It’s people in poverty not being able to heat their homes, and living in damp, mouldy houses. “And we’ve also had feedback from people that they were contemplating suicide before they received help from us. This is about much more than money, it’s about looking after other people and keeping them safe.”