Another busy year for Advice Bureau

BENEFITS and debt problems are the most common issues which have led people to seek support from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB).

In the past nine months the CAB has dealt with more than 27,000 enquiries across the borough and the total at the end of the financial year is likely to top the 30,000 recorded in 2010/11.

Across Solihull benefits have been the focus of 31 per cent of enquiries since April which is one per cent more than the final total for the previous financial year.

Debt is also a major concern with 27 per cent of all enquiries asking for money advice while employment and housing are next on the list with eight per cent and six per cent.

The CAB office in Chelmsley Wood has seen the highest number of people asking for help with debt as they have recorded 3,716 enquiries in comparison with 1,635 at the Solihull office and 996 at the Shirley office.

Kerry Turner, manager of Solihull CAB, said although they began to get quiet in the lead up to Christmas, she is expecting staff will be busy as the New Year begins and people look for help with their finances.

She said: “Across Solihull we have rescheduled over £2.5 million worth of debt for local residents and gained £247,000 in welfare benefits from April to September 2011.

“I believe that we will continue to be busy giving people advice, information and guidance in 2012. Welfare benefits and money advice will probably remain the most popular areas of enquiry.

“We are currently planning how we can expand the services we deliver to local people so they can access us when and where they need it.”

The CAB currently has over 100 volunteers in the borough and it will be running a recruitment campaign to encourage more people to sign up to help out.

Visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk for more information.