Ideas to fight debt counselling fund closing?

MSE_Martin

If you've five minutes, please do read this blog and if you've any ideas put them in the comment and discuss note linked at the end.

http://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2011/02/08/dont-cut-25m-of-debt-counselling-–-how-to-campaign-against-the-financial-inclusion-fund-closure/

bendix

Sorry, but I'm totally against your campaign. I don't know if you've noticed, Martin, but we're in a bit of debt ourselves as a country. That £25m might be smallfry, but it all helps.

We should not be spending £25m of taxpayer's money to 'counsel' (read: pander to) mature adults who can't do something as simple as spend within their means.

You are meant to be supporting financial responsibility. For me that is all about state and individual responsibility. This grant breaches my thinking on both counts, and I totally support scrapping it.

Conrad

I responded on the thread that Sir Paul McCartney and other Saints with a vast overshare of wealth need to grow up and give away 90% of thier overshare to sort these problems. They would still be very rich indeed after such a distribution.
Next time you hear Sting banging on about a cause just keep in your head he does not need £200m in ensnared personal wealth.

Even left wing Tony Benn and Billy Bragg have millions in property and assets, yet they claim to believe in equality and redistribution.

Sickening in fact.

lemonjelly

Well I support your campaign Martin.

Thankfully, there are those of us unlike bendix who are aware that the "I'm alright jack, stuff you" philosophy is a false economy.

I am aware that Birmingham CAB is under threat, & it has set up facebook profiles, as well as being on local bbc news, and I believe ITN news last night.

Here is the link for Birmingham CAB where it has been on the local BBC news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-12279218

There is a facebook page supporting the fight to keep the CAB service going: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Birmingham-CABs-free-independent-impartial-legal-advice/150270275026678


And finally there is a petition to keep the service open: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/42339.html

I've been sharing this wherever possible. I'll also add this to your thread.

It seems disingenuous to promote a big society idea, then remove an exemplary organisation which provides volunteering opportunities.

We are also in a situation where more than ever, people need access to good, accurat and independent money advice. Currently, Birmingham council have started refusing to deal with the CAB. Anyone with rent/council tax arrears is being told to see the councils debt team. How independent are they? Will they really act in the clients best interests? I doubt it. Birmingham CAB dealt with over £84million of debt last year. We continue in a significant economic downturn. People still need the help and support of others. It is up to us to keep such issues in the public eye.

I applaud this move Martin!:T

AD9898_2

Agree with bendix on this one. People should start taking financial responsibility, for every defaulting debtor there is creditor who lent in good faith whose going to get shafted.

Your money saving tips are often good Martin, however I think helping people to weasel out of their debts is wrong. How are they to learn if they know there is little or no consequences.

I for one already believe the debt and bankruptcy laws are too lenient in the UK.

StevieJ

I am with you Martin (and LJ) places like the CAB are a godsend to many people that do not have the funds for legal representation. Bendix doesn't surprise me but your comments AD certainly do

bendix

Once again, the usual bleedin' heart suspects such as StevieJ and lemonjelly let hyperbole get in the way of facts. This is NOTHING to do with scrapping the CABs, an idea I would not support.

The proposal is to scrap the Financial Inclusion Fund which provides money to the CAB to assist with debt counselling. There is nothing to stop CABs continue to do the other good work they do, including free legal representation as StevieJ suggest

But, hey, why let facts stand in the way of hyperbole?

The government should provide constructive advice to citizens on issues when they are in hardship. It should NOT enable and passively encourage financial imprudence, debt and bankruptcy.

StevieJ

bendix wrote: »

But, hey, why let facts stand in the way of hyperbole?

The government should provide constructive advice to citizens on issues when they are in hardship. It should NOT enable and passively encourage financial imprudence, debt and bankruptcy.

I find it difficult to believe that the funds received by the CAB are ring fenced for debt advice, but hey don't let the facts stand in the way outrage

Wheezy_2

Good stuff Martin.

lemonjelly wrote: »

And finally there is a petition to keep the service open: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/42339.html

Signed.

lemonjelly wrote: »

It seems disingenuous to promote a big society idea, then remove an exemplary organisation which provides volunteering opportunities.

I think the big society idea is letting Bono and Sting pay for it all (see above). Not sure though.... :think:

bendix

StevieJ wrote: »

I find it difficult to believe that the funds received by the CAB are ring fenced for debt advice, but hey don't let the facts stand in the way outrage

Irrelevant.

What is being scrapped, please? The CAB or the £25m FIF? Answers on a postcard please.

For heaven's sake, in another thread today, lemonjelly is talking about Manchester CAB being given £8m to open new centres.

You guys want to coordinate to make sure you're on message, ok?

RenovationMan

StevieJ wrote: »

I find it difficult to believe that the funds received by the CAB are ring fenced for debt advice, but hey don't let the facts stand in the way outrage

There not. Lots of CAB advisors are losing their jobs because of the cuts. Those advisors dont just advise on debt, they advise on the whole range of issues that people need help with. Everyone who seeks advice at CAB will suffer from the cuts, not just those in debt.

I know someone who works at CAB and a lot people who seek advice on debt issues are small business owners who have gone bust because ther customers have either delayed paying them or have gone bust themselves. Unlike the black and white world of debt painted on this board, many people end up in debt because of a third party. Its not all about buying shoes on a credit card.