£3,362,000 put into hands of local people thanks to CAB
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
OVER £3 million was put back into the hands of local people over the past year thanks to the work of Caithness Citizens Advice Bureau, helping the individuals and giving a boost to the county's economy.
Jill Smith, manager of Caithness CAB, said this week: "Here at Caithness CAB we helped nearly 4000 local people last year and we were able to put a total of £3,362,000 back in their pockets through things like getting them compensation, finding unclaimed benefits and helping them write off debts. That kind of advice helps those individuals but it also helps the local economy here as people spend that money in local shops and businesses.
“Good-quality advice is essential to any community and the CAB service in Caithness and across the Highlands is very proud of its record in being ready to help anyone in our community who needs it."
The local office dealt with debt totalling £1,400,234.84.
The figures come as Highland Council revealed that throughout Highland over 22,000 people have been helped with welfare, debt and housing issues, with financial gains for them coming in at more than £22.5 million.
Statistics for the council’s welfare support team and Highland CAB during 2018/19 show that there is a high level of demand for help in the areas of benefits and money, with a 13 per cent increase last year in demand for complex advice from customers compared with the 12 months before. Issues included benefit delays and errors, and challenges to adverse benefit decisions, especially in relation to Employment and Support Allowance.
In the past three years customer numbers have risen by 30 per cent overall with Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payments continuing to cause problems for people across Highland.
A total of £11.2 million of debt (including £2.4m relating to mortgage/other secured loans) was presented to CAB which represents a 56 per cent decrease compared with 2016/17 and CAB supported 2625 customers (including social rented, private rented and home owners) seeking housing advice. Issues included arrears, housing options, repairs, capital works and anti-social behaviour.
In total 3372 customers were helped by the welfare support team and 18,777 clients were assisted by CAB.
According to the council, access to such consistent advice is one of the key drivers in the bid to reduce poverty and inequality.
The figures follow a report from End Child Poverty which showed that Wick is one of the areas in Highland where child poverty is most acute.
Advice and information services are proven to be a critical approach in alleviating poverty and are vital to the health and wellbeing of many households.
Councillor Margaret Davidson, leader of the council, said: “The council’s funding of advice continues to present value for money and makes a key contribution to the council’s commitment to reduce poverty and inequalities for the people of the Highlands.
"The effectiveness of the services being delivered has positive impacts on customers’ overall health and wellbeing. It is also important to recognise the wider social and economic benefits that such services provide for the local economy.
“Advice and information services are proven to be a critical approach in alleviating poverty and are vital to the health and wellbeing of many households across the Highlands, all with varying needs of support. The council’s commitment to these services aligns with its legal duty to provide advice and information services for the general population and for specified groups.”
During May 2019, End Child Poverty published 2017/18 child poverty rates detailing the percentage of children in poverty after housing costs. Highland has many of the expected causes and consequences of poverty associated with urban and rural settings.
Ms Smith added: "CAB advice is quality assured, completely free, confidential and impartial. We are very proud of that.
"Anyone who needs help can visit our offices in Thurso [Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm] or Wick [Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10am to 2pm] – no appointment necessary. Call us locally on 01847 894243 or 01955 605989, or for any kind of financial advice people can now call our new specialist money advice helpline on 0800 085 7145.”
Advice is also available from the council's welfare support team on 0800 090 1040.
