More hands on support needed for debt-laden Norfolk families

3.40.00pm GMT Mon 19th Jan 2009

Paul Morse argues that Norfolk's Citizens Advice Bureaux could help more people with greater financial support

New steps to help struggling families through the credit crunch could be undermined unless more is done to build capacity in local debt advice services.

Local Liberal Democrat councillor, Paul Morse, has today welcomed the launch of a new debt and money advice website and debt management workshops by Norfolk County Council but warns that more financial support must be given to local debt advice providers who are struggling to cope with demand.

Mr Morse, whose own call on the council to step up its contribution to supporting local debt advice services in May last year brought this issue to the forefront of the Council's agenda, has concerns about the speed and sufficiency of the Council's response to the need for debt advice in Norfolk.

He points out that Norfolk Liberal Democrats were arguing more than 6 months ago that more needed to be done to support Norfolk's invaluable debt advice services. At that time investigations that they carried out revealed rapidly escalating demand for debt advice services in Norfolk and waiting times of up to five weeks for private appointments with free, independent debt advisers.

Mr Morse is concerned that while the website and workshops will help people get more information about where to go for help they will not provide any real solution if there are just not enough people at the other end of the phone for them to get any real personal support.

The Council's new debt and money advice website itself admits that people looking for help may not get it quickly. One part of the website says:

'Do bear in mind that some of the organisations listed may have additional pressure on their resources at the moment which in some instances means you may have to wait for an appointment but any wait will be worthwhile.'

Commenting on the development Mr Morse said:

"While the Council's new website and debt management workshops are very much to be welcomed I fear that it could be too little too late. Debt is a problem that rapidly debilitates people and treatment should be made available sooner rather than later.

"Liberal Democrats would like to see more financial support provided for local debt advice service providers such as the Citizens Advice Bureau so that they can make sure they have enough caseworkers on the ground to help those struggling with debt - fast. Five weeks is just too long for vulnerable people to have to wait."