Scottish Government – Page 404 – The NEN

All change! Climate funding for Leith projects

£2.86 m to local communities to help tackle climate change

Two Leith-based community projects are among thirty-three organisations from across the country to receive grants from the latest round of Climate Challenge Funding announced today.

The Fund has helped communities throughout Scotland reduce, reuse and recycle their waste, increase the energy efficiency of homes and community buildings, encourage active travel and the use of low-carbon transport, and promote and produce local food.

Leith Schools Food Project will receive almost £109,000 and The Himalayan Centre Climate Change Hub will receive over £70,500 from the fund.

Leith Schools Food Project, run by Leith Community Crops in Pots, will reduce food-related carbon emissions through the establishment of community growing space at three local primary schools and initiatives to encourage production and consumption of local, lower carbon produce. Additional project activities include a programme to help reduce food waste and encourage composting. (£108,966)

The Himalayan Centre Climate Change Hub will operate from the Himalayan Centre for Arts & Culture in Leith, Edinburgh. Advice will be available to help the local community reduce home energy use and carbon emissions with the hub also providing a meeting space to learn more about climate change. A bike pool and cycle training will support lower carbon travel while swap shop events will re-use items that would have been destined for landfill. (£70,510).

Announcing the awards, Climate Change Minister Aileen McLeod said the awards will support local communities to take action on climate change and move to low-carbon living.

Dr McLeod said: “Climate change is one of the most serious challenges to global society and the natural environment both at home and abroad. We know that reducing greenhouse gas emissions isn’t easy, but the Scottish Government takes climate change extremely seriously. This is why we have set the most ambitious global targets to cut emissions.

“Some of the best initiatives to reduce carbon are devised and delivered at a local level. That is why I’m delighted to announce the latest round of grant awards. Beyond doubt, the Climate Challenge Fund is making a real difference in our transition to a low carbon future.

“To date we have invested £64.4 million in the Climate Challenge Fund and helped 527 community led organisations across the length and breadth of Scotland tackle climate change at a local level.”

Derek Robertson, Chief Executive at Keep Scotland Beautiful said: “We congratulate the latest projects to be awarded Climate Challenge Fund and Junior Climate Challenge Fund grants and look forward to working closely with them in the implementation of their projects.

“Keep Scotland Beautiful is very proud to support community action on climate change through our management and development of the Climate Challenge Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government and see it as part of our work to help make Scotland clean and green, today and tomorrow.”

Other city projects to receive good news today are Community Alliance Trust’s Magdalene Community Food Growing Project (£119,251) and central Edinburgh student-led co-operative SHRUB (The Swap and Reuse Hub) who receive over £87,000.

For all full list of successful applicants see below:

www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/climatechange/ccf/projects/CCF20

On the buses: Concessionary travel scheme secured

ALL ABOARD: £414 million investment secures nationwide free bus travel for over 60s and people with disabilities.

Building on an agreement reached in January last year , Transport Scotland and Scotland’s bus industry have agreed terms for reimbursing operators for providing concessionary travel from April 2015. The new deal reflects expected growth in demand, fares and costs, and falling fuel prices.

Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: “Concessionary travel is a key part of the Scottish Government’s social wage and makes a real difference to many of the 1.2 million national entitlement card holders, including our elderly and disabled.

“Research shows the National Concessionary Travel Scheme is greatly valued by users. Card holders themselves say it helps them financially, gives them a greater sense of independence, reduces feelings of isolation and gives them more confidence in their own ability to travel.

“The £250 million we provide every year for the bus industry is not only helping the industry provide services and invest in new greener fleets, but also benefits concessionary travel scheme users by an average of around £250 every year.

“The latest reimbursement terms are based on a formula agreed with the industry in 2013. They will help provide stability for the industry, with recent energy forecasts also taken into account to help manage the costs of the scheme – welcome news for taxpayers.”

The current reimbursement rate is 58.1% of the adult single fare, with a budget of £192 million.

Based on the agreed formula and recent authoritative forecasts on industry costs and consumer prices, and following technical discussions and agreement with the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), the new rates will be 57.1% in 2015/16 and 56.9% in 2016/17. The budgets for each year will be £202 million and £212 million respectively.

George Mair, Director of CPT Scotland, said: “Today’s agreement signifies the end of a thorough and fact-based look at National Concessionary Travel Scheme reimbursement which should ensure that the budgets for the next two years more closely mirror actual costs.

“This gives bus operators a welcome degree of certainty and signifies a pathway for future such discussions. We thank Transport Scotland for its constructive and positive approach throughout this process.”

Keeping the faith: ‘a future built on mutual trust, respect and understanding’

Social Justice Secretary to meet with faith groups

New Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Alex Neil will meet today with the Board of Interfaith Scotland for the first time since his appointment to discuss interfaith work and how to continue building closer relationships between all faiths.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Neil said: “The Scottish Government values all of Scotland’s diverse faith and belief communities and the vital role they play in supporting and developing cohesion among and between communities.

“These groups are essential in transforming lives, promoting social justice and supporting some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in our society.

“Like the rest of the world, I have watched with horror the events in Europe and I am clear that there is no place in Scotland for any form of anti-Semitism or religious hatred. We will not tolerate any threat to any of our citizens going about their daily lives and are committed to tackling all incidents of hate crime to ensure the safety of all our communities.

“Scotland’s diversity is a strength and we have always been highly regarded in the international interfaith community. It is my sincere hope that all communities in Scotland will continue to be part of our work to ensure a future built on mutual trust, respect and understanding.”

Interfaith Scotland provides a forum for people from different religions and beliefs to meet and discuss matters of religious, national and civic importance. The organisation runs ‘dialogue events’ for young people, women, faith communities, religious leaders, members of Interfaith Scotland and local interfaith groups as well as running interfaith workshops in schools and producing interfaith publications and resources.

Interfaith Scotland also provides ongoing support to local interfaith groups and give public presentations, seminars and training on interfaith and faith awareness.

Interfaith Scotland will be holding the National Scottish Holocaust Memorial Day event on Tuesday 27th January at Ayr Town Hall with special guest speakers Ela Weisberger and Hasan Hasanovich. 2015 marks 70 years since the liberation of the death camps and 20 years since the Srebrenica massacre. During their eight day visit to Scotland, Ela and Hasan will also speak at schools in Glasgow, Ayr and Edinburgh, Glasgow City Chambers and the Scottish Parliament.

In work and in poverty

Majority of children in poverty live in working households

More than half of children living in poverty in Scotland are growing up in households where at least one person is in employment – and that number is rising, according to new research published today.

Speaking in a debate in the Scottish Parliament later today, Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training Roseanna Cunningham will argue that it is unacceptable that work is no longer the straight forward route out of poverty and will reiterate the Scottish Government’s pledge to tackle inequality and build a fairer Scotland.

The Cabinet Secretary is speaking as research published today shows that the proportion of those in in-work poverty is gradually increasing and that for many, moving into work doesn’t necessarily mean moving out of poverty.

Ms Cunningham said: “It cannot be right that the majority of working age adults in poverty in Scotland are in ‘in-work’ poverty. Well-rewarded and sustained employment is the best route out of poverty, for those who are able to work, and one of the best ways to tackle inequality.

“This is why we are prioritising the promotion of the living wage and working closely with the Poverty Alliance to encourage more employers to sign up to the Living Wage accreditation scheme. Business productivity goes hand in hand with fair and equal pay. We must all be fully committed to fair work.”

The Scottish Government is developing a Scottish Business pledge to invite companies to commit to extending the living wage, involve their local communities and invest in youth training and employment. In return businesses will be offered a package of tailored support on skills, innovation and exports to help them grow and prosper.

New research looking at in-work poverty summaries the evidence about the extent and impact of in-work poverty in Scotland. It identifies three key factors that influence in-work poverty – hourly rate of play; number of hours worked by members of the household; income gained and lost through the welfare and tax systems.

The main findings of the research include:

• The majority of working age adults in poverty, 52 per cent, are in in-work poverty and that number is increasing

• For children in poverty, 59 per cent are living in households with someone in employment which can have a profound and lasting impact on children’s outcomes

• In work poverty is costly to society via payment of tax credits and other in work benefits which top up low income

• Having one earner in the household means families may be more at risk of poverty at a time when the average living standard, and hence the relative poverty threshold, is increasingly determined by the living standard of double-earner households

• Low-wage work is a ‘dead end’ for many. Workers who are low paid at any one time are more likely to remain in low pay later in life.

You can view the Summary of Evidence Report at :http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2015/01/3233

100 up: a wage to live on

100 employers in Scotland now with Living Wage Accreditation

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday visited Scotland’s 100th Living Wage accredited company, McKean Developments Ltd, to welcome the rapid growth in Scottish organisations securing Living Wage Accreditation.

The Poverty Alliance, which runs the Living Wage Accreditation scheme in Scotland has indicated that more than 100,000 employees of accredited companies are now benefitting from the Living Wage.

Speaking during her visit to McKean Developments the First Minister welcomed the progress being made and urged other companies to sign up, She said: “It is great news that 100 companies are now accredited as Living Wage employers. The Scottish Government fully supports the Living Wage campaign and we recognise the real difference the Living Wage makes to the working people in Scotland.

“The Scottish Government is not able to set pay levels in the private sector, or indeed the wider public sector in Scotland where employees are not covered by our pay policy, however we DO encourage all public, private and third sector organisations to ensure all staff on lower incomes receive a fair level of pay, and we are funding the Poverty Alliance to take forward the accreditation scheme.

“The list of 100 accredited companies clearly demonstrates it is not just big businesses who are providing a fairer deal for their staff but small companies like McKean Developments Ltd which is guaranteeing the living wage for their staff. I would encourage all employers across Scotland to take the lead from the these 100 organisations and give their workers a Living Wage.”

Colin McLean sales and technical manager at McKean Developments Ltd, said: “As a Living Wage Employer it is our belief that our workforce deserve to be paid an honest and decent wage in return for their services. It’s that simple. This, in turn, has helped increased both production capability and morale within our business, leading to increased customer satisfaction and a top quality finished product, not to mention a better quality of life for all of our employees.”

Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “Congratulations to McKean’s on becoming Scotland’s 100th Accredited Living Wage Employer. This is an important milestone for the Living Wage in Scotland. We are delighted that more and more employers are joining the movement for fair pay.

“These employers recognise that paying the Living Wage has benefits for their organisations as well as their employees. We look forward to working with McKeans, and all Scotland’s accredited employers, to ensure that we all benefit from the Living Wage.”

Latest stats reveal fewer homeless Scots

Homeless applications down by over a third in five years

Fewer people in Scotland are becoming homeless according to official statistics published today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician. Housing Minister Margaret Burgess has welcomed the latest figures.

Scottish councils received around 9,100 applications for homelessness assistance during July to September 2014, three per cent lower than in the same period in 2013.

At 30 September 2014, there were just over 10,300 households in temporary accommodation – this figure was almost unchanged compared to one year earlier.

In addition to the fall in applications, the number assessed as homeless, or likely to become homeless within two months, fell by three per cent to around 7,400.

Where contact was maintained, four out of five individuals assessed as unintentionally homeless went on to secure settled accommodation such as council housing, housing association or private let, as an outcome. This proportion has remained stable for the past seven years.

In recent years, the focus has been on the housing options approach to homelessness prevention by local authorities and their partners.

Councils consider the range of housing options available to ensure the best outcomes for those that approach them for assistance. The Scottish Government supports this process by funding five regional housing options hubs.

Financial support is also provided to third sector organisations working to prevent homelessness, such as the recent awards made under the Housing Voluntary Grant Scheme.

Since 2008/9, homeless applications have fallen by 36 per cent.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: “These latest statistics, which illustrate the continued falls in homelessness across Scotland, are to be welcomed. It is also encouraging that since 2008/9, homeless applications have fallen by 36 per cent.

“We are working closely with local authorities and their partners to prevent homelessness, increase the number of affordable homes and address the issue of empty homes.

“Councils have been developing services in which staff assist households to consider their range of housing options to address their housing needs in order to help prevent homelessness before it occurs.

“The Scottish Government’s Housing Voluntary Grant Scheme has also allowed third sector organisations, such as Age Scotland, Scottish Women’s Aid and Shelter Scotland, to develop projects that prevent homelessness.

“We are also investing over £1.7 billion to deliver 30,000 affordable homes during the lifetime of this Parliament, working with local authorities to build record numbers of council houses and have abolished the Right to Buy to protect up to 15,500 social homes from sale over the next ten years.”

More money for Scotland’s health boards

NHS in Scotland to receive additional £65 million

The Scottish Government has today announced that an extra £65m will be made available to NHS in the next financial year. The funding boost for 2015/16 will ensure that all health boards will receive uplifts next year which are at least 1% above the rate of inflation.

This will bring all health boards to within one per cent of parity under the NHS funding formula, NRAC, a year earlier than planned.

Health Secretary Shona Robison (pictured above) said the funding increase demonstrates the Scottish Government’s commitment to protecting the NHS. She said: “This Government has not only protected the NHS budget, but increased it.

“Our NHS services faces challenges as a result of the increase in patients, with more complex illnesses, and the rising costs of expensive new drugs.

“This £65m additional investment increases the resources available to health boards will help alleviate these pressures and ensure our NHS can continue to deliver effective and sustainable care to all patients across Scotland.”

“We’re clear that all patients in Scotland should be treated as quickly and as effectively as possible, with the right care, in the right place, at the right time. With this increase in funding, health boards are being given more support to achieve this.

“Despite Scotland’s fiscal resource budget being slashed in real terms by 10 per cent by Westminster since 2010, we’ve increased the health resource budget by 4.6 per cent in real terms.”

Minister chooses North Edinburgh to launch health initiative

National healthy eating campaign launched at Pilton Community Health Project

The Scottish Government launched a new healthy eating initiative at Pilton Community Health Project on Boswall Parkway this morning. The ‘Eat Better Feel Better’ campaign will help Scotland’s families make simple changes to the way they shop, cook and eat.

Home cooking in Scotland is declining, according to a new survey commissioned by the Scottish Government, which shows that more families are turning to convenience foods and takeaways due to the pressures of family life.

The research accompanies a new campaign from the Scottish Government which was launched today to inspire and support families with practical tips, advice and tools to help them make simple, quick and cheap changes to how they shop, cook and eat.

The research shows that less than half of Scotland’s mums (47 per cent) consider themselves as very capable cooks and are happy to cook a meal using fresh or frozen ingredients, without the use of a recipe. However, more than a third of families (35 per cent) are eating takeaway food at least once a week and around one third of families (32 per cent) are eating ready meals at least three times a week.

Kirsty Day (left) with Public Health Minister Maureen Watt

Public Health Minister Maureen Watt launched the Eat Better Feel Better campaign at Pilton Community Health Project (PCHP) – the first community health project in Scotland – which supports local people to eat more healthily through cooking skills, budgeting and meal planning.

PCHP’s Food team works with volunteers and local partners to help local people develop their understanding and knowledge to eat well on a budget, including cooking skills, budgeting, meal planning and wider food issues.

It does this by running cooking sessions, lots of ‘cook and taste’ sessions in the community, delivering ‘bite size’ sessions on eating well and much more. People can also get involved by joining one of the groups, becoming a volunteer or attending Food for Thought Forum meetings.

For many mums, the reluctance to cook from scratch is down to a number of obstacles which they see as prohibitive to making healthier meals for their families. Four in ten (42 per cent) think that it costs too much money to shop for and cook healthier family meals, a third (33 per cent) think that it takes too much time, around the same number (31 per cent) say that they’re too busy. A quarter (24 per cent) say that their kids are too fussy.

Speaking at the launch Ms Watt said: “For many families across Scotland, buying, cooking and eating healthy food can be a real challenge. However, there are many quick and cheap changes that we can make which can lead to significant improvements in our daily diets. From dealing with fussy eaters and shopping on a budget to planning your meals and finding time to cook, Eat Better Feel Better aims to address the various challenges faced by families by providing lots of practical hints, tips and recipes to help families eat more healthily.

“We know that helping children to eat healthier from a young age can help them avoid major illnesses later in life. That’s why we’re working together with retailers and community groups from across the country in getting behind Scotland’s families – to provide the support, encouragement and advice which will help them eat better and ultimately feel better.”

Anita Aggarwal, Community Development Manager at Pilton Community Health Project, said: “It’s great to have a Scottish Government campaign that complements and supports the work that community food and health projects like us are already doing. Pilton has a wealth of local community food projects that link together through the Food for Thought Forum. Because of the dedication and skills of these local residents and agencies, eating well in the area is easier. This campaign should help all these groups reach more local residents.”

PCHP also gives the local community access to food related training courses to develop their skills, and can now support others to deliver quick and easy healthy eating sessions using a new nutrition toolkit:

http://pchp.org.uk/projects/food

Through PCHP’s work, local people tell them that although they do want to eat better, the barriers they face can make it difficult. Often people who attend the cooking groups lack basic equipment like cookers and fridges. Budgets are tight; we find that while locals are good at making small amounts of money go a long way, this often means they cannot afford healthier food options, or the fuel to cook them.

At their December ‘Good Food for All’ event local people told PCHP that low income is the most significant barrier to eating healthily. Austerity measures, increasingly insecure employment and low wages (below Living Wage) mean that increasing numbers are resorting to food banks. The Poverty Alliance told PCHP about the shame people feel when they need to use food banks. While local food projects are working hard to support people with their cooking and budgeting skills, these financial barriers also need to be tackled at a policy level.

Kirsty Day, a 21 year-old student from Edinburgh and a mum of one, was a big fast food fan but following the birth of her son Kelvin almost three years ago, she decided that she didn’t want him to be brought up with bad food habits and leading an unhealthy lifestyle. She was put in touch with Pilton Community Health Project.

Kirsty said: “I was eating a typical student diet, but as a mum I wanted to be able to set a good example for my son. The changes in my lifestyle over the past two years have been huge. I’m happier, I feel less tired and have more energy, and Kelvin is happier too.

“With my new knowledge of food and the cooking skills I have learned, I find it really easy to make healthy meals with fresh ingredients now. Over the course of the week it’s affordable to eat and cook with fresh ingredients instead of pre-packed products and it definitely feels better eating fresh food. Some of my dishes actually work out cheaper than buying ready meal equivalents. I definitely feel better by eating better.”

Eat Better Feel Better will be working alongside supermarkets and the convenience sector, as well as stakeholders and community groups from across Scotland’s food and health industry, to provide ongoing support for families. From practical cooking classes at community groups to special offers on healthy ingredients in-store, the campaign will aim to provide advice and practical help in places and at times which suit them.

A new website – eatbetterfeelbetter.co.uk – provides recipes, tips from parents and healthier offers available from Scotland’s food retailers. The site will also host a series of cook-along videos to provide practical, easy to follow guides to cooking healthier family favourites such as spaghetti Bolognese, home-made burgers and chicken curry.

A key strand of the campaign will be directing families across Scotland towards local events and support in their community, such as that provided by Pilton Community Health Project.

The campaign contributes to the Scottish Government’s food and drink policy and aspiration for Scotland to become a Good Food Nation, a nation where it is second nature to serve, sell and eat fresh, healthy food.

It is also part of a co-ordinated Scottish Government programme of measures to support healthier choices in Scotland, including the Supporting Healthy Choices Voluntary Framework, launched in 2013, which sets out specific voluntary action for the food industry, including retailers, manufacturers, caterers and the public sector to support healthier diets in Scotland.

Success for festive drink drive campaign

‘Don’t risk it’ message hits home over festive holiday period

Police Scotland statistics have today revealed that the ‘don’t drink and drive’ message has been driven home to motorists across the country.

The new lower drink drive limit of 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood came into force on 5 December 2014, bringing Scotland into line with much of the rest of Europe.

During a four week festive Drink Drive campaign from Road Safety Scotland (part of Transport Scotland) and the Scottish Government, Police Scotland tested 17,504 drivers for alcohol – an average of 625 drivers each day.

A total of 351 drivers were caught under the influence this year compared to 434 in the same period last year – a 19% reduction.

Police detected one drink driver for every 50 (351 from 17,504) tests carried out compared to one drink driver for every 47 (434 from 20,646) tests carried out in the same campaign period last year. Those caught now face the New Year without a licence, a minimum 20-year criminal record and a fine.

Of those caught drink driving, 20 drivers were detected between the new 50mg limit and the previous limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

And over the period a total of 27 drivers were detected between 6am – 10am, six of whom were between the old and the new limit.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson, said: “These latest statistics show a 19 per cent decrease in the number of drink drive detections over the festive period, and are testament to the immediate effect that the new lower limit has helped to make our roads safer.

“Scotland is leading the way across the UK with the introduction of a lower drink drive limit, which has backing from experts, road safety campaigners and the majority of the public north and south of the border, as well as bringing Scotland into line with almost every other country in Europe.

“We will continue in our efforts to change driver behaviour in order to make our roads safer, and our advice for the year ahead is simple – drink driving is completely unacceptable and puts lives at risk, therefore the best approach is to avoid alcohol altogether if you intend to get behind the wheel.”

With the Christmas and New Year festivities now over, motorists are being reminded that the message not to drink any alcohol at all before driving and to plan journeys the next morning, remains relevant all year round.

Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins of Police Scotland, said: “The initial campaign may be over, but our work continues and the message remains the same – don’t risk it, don’t take any alcohol before you get behind the wheel and it will help you help us keep people safe.

“The new limit is proving a good deterrent in stopping people from drinking and driving, but it is still unacceptable that 351 people chose to ignore all the advice and warnings and get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. They are not just risking their lives but also those of other road users and pedestrians.

“Make it your New Year’s resolution to never drink and drive and help us keep Scotland’s roads safe.”

The introduction of the new lower limit was supported by a public awareness campaign ahead of the legislation taking effect. This was followed by a high profile social marketing campaign over the festive period across TV, radio, video-on-demand, digital, PR, field activity and partnership working.

The campaign urged members of the public not to drink and drive and advised festive revellers to plan ahead when it came to their travel home from a night out and any journeys in the morning.

The campaign also sought to remind drivers of the tough legal and personal consequences of a drink drive conviction, which include a loss of licence with an automatic 12 month driving ban and a minimum 20 year criminal record.

Although the festive period is now over, Police vigilance will remain at the same level throughout 2015 and the same consequences apply if motorists chose to drink and drive.

Find out more by visiting www.dontriskit.info or the Road Safety Scotland Facebook page or follow@RoadSafetyScot on Twitter.

Welfare reform advice fund to top £4 million

More cash to help advise poverty-stricken Scots

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) will receive an additional £1.5 million to alleviate Westminster’s welfare reform changes, Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil confirmed today.

The Scottish Government funding comes on top of £2.5 million it has allocated to support CAS’s Welfare Reform Mitigation Fund between 2013-2015.

The fund was established to offer a range of services for local Bureaux across Scotland, including additional resources to support the move to online claims.

The additional £1.5 million will allow CAB to employ more staff, operate longer opening hours, provide more training for advisers and recruit more volunteers across the 200 CAB service points in operation across Scotland.

According to CAS, in the first year over 17,500 people were helped with over 55,000 issues. The service now sees an additional 6,000 clients every three months thanks to Scottish Government funding.

CAB advisers can provide support on a wide range of issues, but most recently the top three areas which clients have requested help with have been benefits, debt and tax issues.

The Scottish Government has set aside £104 million in next year’s budget to tackle poverty and inequalities including £33 million to the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Alex Neil said: “Westminster’s programme of austerity is placing intolerable strain on Scottish families and individuals. Many feel stressed, isolated and at their wits end. That is why supporting the provision of advice services is a central plank of the Scottish Government’s approach to welfare reform mitigation.

“Scottish Citizens Bureaux staff are dealing with an increased volume of calls with thousands of people seeking advice as UK Government welfare reform changes hit the most vulnerable.

“CAB have an unequalled track record of delivering free expert, impartial advice and its national network of advice centres will ensure that this funding reaches every corner of Scotland.

“To create a more prosperous and fairer society in Scotland, full responsibility over welfare policy is the only way for us to properly tackle poverty.”

Margaret Lynch, Chief Executive, Citizens Advice Scotland said: “This funding means that CAB are helping get money into the purses and pockets of our citizens, supporting people to navigate their way through a complicated benefits system, and signpost them to other much needed services such as foodbanks.

“Bureaux see complicated cases and can be frustrated by maladministration, delays to benefits, and the sanctioning of benefits which lead to cases of destitution and desperation. CAB advice has never been so needed and people know they can depend on us for support at their time of need.”