Minister praises Carmarthenshire advice services

A network of advice services in Carmarthenshire that helps people through the tough economic climate has been praised by the Minister for Communities & Tackling Poverty Jeff Cuthbert at a special event held in Llanelli yesterday (Mon 2nd Dec).

The conference was organised by Advice and Support Carmarthenshire, a network that brings together the local council, Citizens’ Advice Bureau and other advice bodies to help coordinate services that hell people with issues such as debt and benefit advice. It aims to avoid duplication between the 30 bodies involved so they provide a joined up service for people in Carmarthenshire.

Advice & Support Carmarthenshire is funding from the European Support Fund through the Welsh Government to support a number of projects in the area. One of the aims is to strengthen the advice and support available to people with debt problems and who are struggling on low incomes.

The Minister highlighted how the group’s work is a good example of the type of joined-up approach which the Welsh Government is encouraging across Wales.

The Welsh Government is spending more than £4 million this year to support advice service providers across Wales.

Jeff Cuthbert said:

“These are difficult economic times, and this, coupled with the changes to the benefits system, makes it even more important that we join forces and work together by prioritising the needs of the poorest and helping those who are struggling to get by.

“Information and advice services are crucial to this. Debt and money advice, for example, can help ensure that people’s financial circumstances change for the better and that people are able to live healthier and more fulfilled lives free of stress and worry.

“Demand for these services is only likely to grow, especially around welfare benefits, housing and debt. This will happen against a backdrop of cuts in public funding. That is why we all have to work together in the best way possible to make sure we deal with the cuts to our budgets while also continuing to help vulnerable people.

“We have provided extra funding in this financial year to help some independent advice providers adapt to cuts in funding, but in the future the Welsh Government will not be able to plug all the gaps.

“It is really reassuring for me to see what is happening here in Carmarthenshire where organisations have come together to see how you can best plan your services around the needs of the people living in your area. I’m sure that there are lessons that can be learned from your experiences which can help other local networks all across Wales.”