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Hard-pressed Citizens’ Advice staff could lose their jobs
EXPERT legal advisers at a Citizens Advice Bureau helping people with debt and welfare advice are themselves facing redundancy as part of swingeing cuts.
Board members at Kentish Town CAB are consulting staff over a new “strategy” that includes replacing experienced advisers with volunteers and axing its hugely popular face-to-face public advice sessions in favour of a call centre.
Workers at the CAB, which employs 10 experienced full-time staff, say they are already struggling to meet an explosion of demand during the recession. Around 65 people visit the centre every day – one-third more than this time last year.
Jo Shaw, a housing lawyer and honorary volunteer, said: “Kentish Town CAB advises a wide range of people, many with problems with debt or mental health, who are often faced with urgent needs like bailiffs. It is an important part of a local community that is widely used.”
She added: “Many of the current advisers have around 20 years’ experience and are absolutely dedicated. There is also an issue over training and retention with volunteers.”
Under the proposals, Kentish Town would be transformed into a call centre used to book appointments in other buildings in Kilburn and Holborn, which are already running at capacity.
One volunteer, who did not want to be named, said: “This is going to be an absolute disaster – they don’t realise how bad this is going to be. Some of these people have multiple and mind-boggling problems. The idea that volunteers can cope with all that is a joke.”
Camden CAB is run as a limited company. It has a £1million funding deal with the Town Hall that comes to an end next year, at which point other firms will be invited to run the service.
A spokesman for Camden CAB said: “Camden CAB have agreed to undertake a restructure of its organisation following consultation with staff.”
A council spokeswoman said: “Camden CAB will provide front-line information and advice services through its offices and outreach services in places like supermarkets are planned.” |
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