Citizens Advice Bureau struggling to cope after cuts (From Hereford Times)

Citizens Advice Bureau struggling to cope after cuts

1:00pm Wednesday 8th August 2012 in News By Paul Rogers

THE Herefordshire Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB) is facing an uncertain future as its funds continue to be reduced.

The charity was recently criticised by Ross -on-Wye Town Council and rural parish councils about the level of service it offers in the south of the county.

But CAB trustees’ chairman Chris Boote says that, even though there will always be a need to provide services, the charity is struggling to offer them.

He said: “The CAB is facing enormous demands on services as people struggle to cope financially due to problems at work or with housing, plus others are being affected by seismic changes to welfare benefits provision.

“But just as the economic climate is impacting individuals, it is also affecting the organisations best placed to help.”

“The CAB is a charity with limited funding and while the service is free to the individual, it is not free to provide,” he said, adding that a sustainable solution for funding is due to be discussed with Herefordshire Council over the next few months.