Extra £5.4m to help Scots beat debt

ADVICE centres helping people with benefit and debt problems are to get a £5.4million boost.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the extra funds today during a visit to a Citizens Advice Bureau in Bridgeton, where she met staff and people who use the service.

The cash will be spent to assist people working to alleviate the impact of welfare reform cuts from the UK Department of Work and Pensions.

In total £5.4m will be allocated over the next two years for Citizens Advice Scotland and other organisations. It includes £300,000 immediately for existing services.

A new fund of £1.7m will support the advice services as they deal with an expected increase in demand when benefits changes start in April.

Another £3.4m is to be allocated over the next two years to help organisations specifically dealing with the reforms.

Ms Sturgeon said: "Citizens Advice Bureaux across Scotland are dealing with nearly 800 new issues every working day."

The cash was welcomed by agencies working to assist people in financial difficulties. Elspeth Atkinson, Scottish director of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "This will help ensure advice agencies and charities can be there to help vulnerable people in need of welfare advice and support at this difficult time."

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk

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