Report Shows Impact of CAB Spending Cuts on Thousands of People Needing Debt Advice

    GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, September 09, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Trust Deed Scotland can report that between the period of 1 April - 31 July 2011, CAB (England and Wales) stated they were able to help 529,315 people compared to 569,862 the same period last year.

This is a 7% decrease in the total number of people they were able to help with debt advice.

Trust Deed Scotland had earlier in the year warned how cuts to CAB spending would impact ordinary Scottish families in desperate need of free debt help and cuts to CAB funding (averaging 10%, which took effect from April 2011)

The Chief Executive of CAB, Gillian Guy was quoted as saying "Our clients tell us that CAB advice is a lifeline when they face debt, benefits housing and employment worries. Unless sustainable funding is put in place for the future, more and more people will have nowhere to turn when they desperately need help with urgent and serious problems...

The irony is that as a volunteer-based service we provide excellent value for money and research has proved that timely CAB advice saves public money in the long run. Every GBP1.00 of legal aid spent on housing, debt, employment and benefits advice can save up to GBP8.80."

Not only has there been an impact on the number of people receiving debt advice but overall the cuts have impact other areas that the CAB give advice on including Employment, Legal, Consumer Goods and Services and Relationships and Families. 779,000 people received help this period, compared the same period of last year. This also equates to an overall drop of seven per cent.

A spokesman for Trust Deed Scotland, a leading independent introducer of Scottish Trust Deeds advised, "We were desperately unhappy with the government cuts to CAB funding. As an ethical adviser of debt advice, we feel that it is important that the people that we give advice to are giving a balanced view on Trust Deeds and other debt solutions.

"Our concern is that with reduced CAB services, more people could end up in the hands of rogue debt providers and their details passed to the highest bidder by unscrupulous lead generation websites.

"The CAB and other debt charities such as the CCCS and National Debt Line help provide a balanced and impartial debt advice source that provides individuals with debt problems with a platform to resolve their financial difficulties.

"In a time where issues such as fuel poverty and rising costs of living are blighting the lives of ordinary Scottish families and plunging them deep into debt, the UK government should be spending MORE on free debt advice, not less."

If you live in Scotland, struggling with debt and you need instant free debt advice, you can speak to Trust Deed Scotland on 0141 221 0999. All calls are confidential and without obligation.

As seen on STV, Trust Deed Scotland are an independent Scottish owned introducer of Scottish Trust Deeds and provide free confidential debt advice for residents of Scotland. Call 0141 221 0999 or visit the website: www.trustdeedscotland.net.

# # #