An additional 9,000 people benefited from advice services last year thanks to Welsh Government grants, exceeding expectations by a third.
Last year Jeff Cuthbert, Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, announced grants to a number of organisations to give free advice to an extra 6,723 people during 2013/14. However 8,942 people were eventually helped by the money.
Jeff Cuthbert said:
“I’m delighted that advice services were able to exceed their own expectations and use Welsh Government grants to see more people than expected.
“Free advice services are more important than ever given the current economic climate and the impact welfare changes are having on whole communities. Thousands of people rely on specialist, expert advice, but funding is being squeezed at the very time when more people are turning to them for help.
“We are committed to taking action to provide practical help to people living in, or at risk of falling into, poverty. The funding of advice services is a practical example of this.
“In the coming weeks I will be announcing further funding for advice services across Wales.”
Last year’s grants went to organisations providing free, independent information and advice on managing finances and dealing with discrimination.
Agencies who received grants were: Advice UK, Age Cymru Partnership, Citizens Advice Cymru, Law Centres Network, RNIB, Shelter Cymru, SNAP Cymru, Welsh Refugee Council, Race Equalities First and the Royal Association for Deaf People’s Deaf Law Centre.
