Calls to save ‘essential’ face-to-face debt advice services
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA campaign to maintain funding for ‘essential’ face-to-face debt advice services has been backed by Bury Council. The council has supported calls by Advice UK, the Institute of Money Advisers, the Unite Debt Advice Network and Greater Manchester Money Advice Group among others for the government to extend funding for 12 months for existing services to enable them to plan properly, retain staff and scrap a government procurement process entirely.
Campaigners say face-to-face debt advice will be slashed by more than 50 per cent in favour of remote services which they claim ‘are not appropriate or accessible for everyone’. READ MORE:'Outrageous' flasher caught by police 'waving his front around' outside Piccadilly Station They allege the north is set to lose £3m in funding for face-to-face services.
Following a backlash, the procurement process for new services has been paused, with existing services such as those provided by Citizens Advice, given a six-month extension.
Campaigners say no guarantees have been given about protecting face-to-face services or re-balancing the funding. Bury councillors last week debated a Labour motion on the subject.
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