Citizens Advice says Government 'right to be worried' about advice sector

Responding to the Advice Review and Advice Sector Fund, announced this morning, Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

"The Government is right to be worried. More people need our help than ever before, as debt, employment and other problems rise.

"This funding is of course a welcome stop-gap - but that's all it is. The advice review needs to find a sensible long term solution. Local government and legal aid cuts are making it impossible to meet demand and leaving too many people with nowhere to turn."

Notes to editors:

1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.