WIREDGOV

Advice services across Wales will receive more than £8m of funding thanks to the Welsh Government’s new Single Advice Fund, the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt will announce today

Speaking at an event to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Citizens Advice the Deputy Minister will talk about the Welsh Government’s commitment to supporting information and advice services and thank service providers for the invaluable support they provide.

The Deputy Minister will say:

We know the services receiving our grant funding are making a real difference to peoples’ lives, often supporting the most vulnerable people in our communities. Last year alone the advice services helped over 77,000 people to secure £53 million of additional welfare benefit income.

“But with the demands on Information and Advice Services continuing to grow, it’s more important than ever that we have an advice sector where resources are used as effectively as possible. We need advice providers to design and deliver their services collaboratively, ensuring they are based on need and offer the most sustainable outcomes for those who need it most.

“So today I am pleased to announce that, with Citizens Advice Cymru as the lead delivery body, from the 1 January 2020, our Single Advice Fund will be supporting innovative and integrated person-centred advice services to help people when they need it most.

Through the Single Advice Fund, the Welsh Government is continuing its commitment to support social welfare advice providers so people have access to the free and impartial advice that they need to resolve problems with their housing, welfare benefits and managing their financial commitments.