Organisations providing free advice services are being invited to apply for a share of £1 million Welsh Government funding, Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Jeff Cuthbert has announced this week.
The move comes as the impact of the UK Government’s welfare reforms take effect, meaning more and more people across Wales are in need of expert advice on managing their finances.
Independent and not-for-profit advice providers, many of which have seen their budgets cut, can apply for grants to help them to continue providing advice services to people in Wales. Through this funding, more individuals and families in Wales will be helped to make informed choices, based on free and impartial advice.
Last year, the Minister announced a similar series of grants that enabled almost 7,000 more people to use the services of advice centres around the country.
Jeff Cuthbert said:
“This year’s allocation of funding will be based on the growing need for services that offer help with welfare benefits, debt and money management, housing and discrimination.
“Free and independent advice services are more important than ever given the current economic climate and the impact welfare changes are having on whole communities. Many of our advice services are facing direct cuts to their funding.
“I want to make sure people do not fall through the cracks given the changes to the UK welfare system and encourage organisations to apply for funding.
“Today’s announcement is another example of our commitment to taking action to provide practical help to people who are either living in poverty or who might be at risk of falling into poverty. It sends a clear signal about the Welsh Government’s commitment to tackling inequality and to ensuring that anyone who is struggling to get by has somewhere to turn.”
