Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

[Amethyst]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

Exactly AC, how many people in dire financial difficulty will subscribe ?

A lot of the people I am working with are volunteers or employees of CAB and they have no idea what is happening either, other than they are very overloaded and getting redundancy notices all over the shop...... God knows who does know what's happening, Citizens Advice are keeping incredibly quiet about the whole situation.

[Angry Cat]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

Yes, the whole situation is exremely poor and does give cause for great concern!

Bundled together with the local council cutbacks, which of course, will affect Trading Standards local offices various. Consumer's may well find themselves in a cul-de-sac, with nowhere to go for face to face advice.

[Latch Key Kid]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

There seems to a different 'story' everyday, but nothing concrete.

Quite incredible.

Theres a report on Look North while I post

[pompeyfaith]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

Looks like there is going to be an explosion in self help forums like this one, but reaching the masses is the problem specially to the many consumers that do not have access to a computer.

It is a very sad state of affairs in that during the boom years consumers were encouraged to take on credit then the bust comes and just when consumers need help it is cut.

[Latch Key Kid]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

Looks like there is going to be an explosion in self help forums like this one, but reaching the masses is the problem specially to the many consumers that do not have access to a computer.

It is a very sad state of affairs in that during the boom years consumers were encouraged to take on credit then the bust comes and just when consumers need help it is cut.

Hi there Pompey

It would seem a prominent CAB office has similar views

http://nedcab.blogspot.com/2011/02/d...financial.html

Good old Nick

[pompeyfaith]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

LKK,

Great Link thanks for that.

[Latch Key Kid]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

LKK,

Great Link thanks for that.

Hi pompey

You are more than welcome

[Latch Key Kid]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

HI

Here is another article (hope it has not already been posted)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011...e-funding-axed

Groundhog day

Just look at some of the figures - for example

"create an estimated £700m in annual cost savings for the NHS because of avoided mental health problems and stress"

Economics of the madhouse, and the fee chargers - well what can you say - just have a real close look at the recent OFT reports (its a sick joke isn't it?)

What the hell is really going on here?

Big Society?

Over to you Nick and the coalition.

Don't say you were not warned.

[Angry Cat]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/new...overnment-cuts

[Angry Cat]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

In response to a recent parliamentary question about the future of the FIF, the government stated that "it remained committed to helping poorer households to access appropriate financial services, to improve their financial resilience and to avoid falling into unsustainable levels of debt". I would like to know what the government intends to do to ensure it meets this commitment – will it put its money where its mouth is and continue to fund this needed service? Or will it leave the poor people of this country with no help, waiting for the inevitable result of rise in homelessness and other poverty-related problems?

[Latch Key Kid]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

Hi

I have just read this from Ms Guy -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12352193

On the ball eh?

Look at this 'rivetting' paragraph -

"The majority of CAB staff are volunteers and Ms Guy believes there is a "big danger" that the voluntary sector capacity the government needs for its Big Society agenda will be harmed."

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

[Amethyst]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

lol...gets the issue more public though which has to be good, pressure wise. We (ie me lol) need to speak up more me thinks.

[Chip Tuesday]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

Hi

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed the adverts for the xxxx% interest loans that seem to be appearing more frequently on the TV?

They and others must be cock a hoop over all these stories about CABs and the loss of genuine free independent debt advisers.

The vultures are hovering you could say.

If they 'eventually' do the wrong thing here then what untold misery will this cause and what will the eventual overall cost be to put it all back together again?

Don't forget that famous catchphrase though - "we are all in this together"

Are you talking about payday loans Latch Key Kid? If so I think they get away with offering such high rates because they also specify (in their HUGE amounts of small print) that they are not intended as a longterm solution. Harsh, I know, but people simply offering the product is only half the problem, it is the lack of financial eductaion in the UK at present that also contributes. Unfortunately it is up to the public to educate themselves so that they do not get ripped off by such offers.

CT

[Latch Key Kid]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

Are you talking about payday loans Latch Key Kid? If so I think they get away with offering such high rates because they also specify (in their HUGE amounts of small print) that they are not intended as a longterm solution. Harsh, I know, but people simply offering the product is only half the problem, it is the lack of financial eductaion in the UK at present that also contributes. Unfortunately it is up to the public to educate themselves so that they do not get ripped off by such offers.

CT

Hi Chip Tuesday

I am talking about any company that charges extortionate rates of interest in relation to the likely forthcoming reduction in face to face advice provision for the most vulnerable.

You could say it is up to the consumer / public to educate themselves on any service or product were injustice occurs, which I suppose is true to certain extent but it is not always that simple and there are many who cannot and are easy prey.

It is no coincidence either that in my experience it is the most vulnerable or people at their lowest ebb who turn to these type of companies, some would argue that they only really exist to prey on this type of customer.

People and young familes getting behind with their rent and other essentials / priorities (including food for their children) as a result of paying these loans first. This can often lead to the threat of possession and eviction, I have been to many court hearings relating to this very subject.

A wry smile appeared on my face reading the - "they are not intended as a long term solution"

Also I cannot agree that the practices and rates of interest charged by some of these companies can ever be right and justified. Even the doorstep lenders are starting to look good compared to this type of outfit.

Your are right though, more financial education can only help however there are millions already in the mire and as far as I can see these adverts won't excactly help.

More promotion and availabilty of the Credit Unions? but they can never compete with the instant cash some these companies offer.

[Amethyst]

Re: Citizens Advice staff facing redundancies

What do you think LKK of the plan to offer CU services through Post Offices ?

I also think the gov't should revisit the plan to extend budgeting loans to low incomes on CU interest rates (think in 08 they were talking on 27%), what do you think ?