CAB services in Coventry & Warwickshire hang in the balance

[dutchman]

An 11th-hour government rethink could save the future of crucial services and jobs at Coventry and Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureaux.



Threatened budget cuts would devastate the services in Coventry and Warwickshire, but a local MP is hoping the service will be thrown a financial lifeline.

At stake is support for thousands of people in Coventry and the county who are facing legal action over debt problems.

CAB staff are paid through the government’s Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) which is under threat.

CAB also offers support to people facing family court disputes involving children, workers in dispute at employment tribunals, and those challenging benefits claim refusals.

Further cuts are threatened by government plans to cut Legal Aid – which pays for free legal representation from CAB solicitors.

Staff at Coventry Citizens Advice Bureau protested last week, as it was forced to stop taking on any more cases ahead of the axe falling on FIF in March.

Trained legal caseworkers helping people with court action over arrears including mortgage payments would have to been laid off in March, and services would be slashed by half.

The CAB in Warwickshire faces similar cuts if FIF is scrapped.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE OF THIS STORY