MSE News: Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureaux saved

Former_MSE_Guy

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"The quintet of drop-in hubs had been earmarked for termination due to a lack of funding from the local council ..."

Read the full story:
Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureaux saved

fermi

Thanks. Good news for them and the people who need their help.

lemonjelly

It isn't quite saved yet though.
From the information that I have, the council funding is in place up to the end of March. The council have not yet announced whether they will be giving any funding to Birmingham CAB in the next financial year.

Staff are still going to be getting their redundancy notices, & AKAIK the service will still face reductions.

Birmingham CAB originally believed that they would have to start winding down operations from 14 February. As it stands, it is business as usual for the staff and volunteers working there, but they don't know how long for.

MSE Guy, thanks for raising the profile of this story, including the lawyers2you aspect. It is a fantastic demonstration of an organisation looking at social responsibilities and impacts at a time like this.

Former_MSE_Guy

We've been told by the CAB that as things stand, there are no plans for Birmingham to shut so it's business as usual. However, as with anything in this economic climate, matters can change quickly.

lemonjelly wrote: »

It isn't quite saved yet though.
From the information that I have, the council funding is in place up to the end of March. The council have not yet announced whether they will be giving any funding to Birmingham CAB in the next financial year.

Staff are still going to be getting their redundancy notices, & AKAIK the service will still face reductions.

Birmingham CAB originally believed that they would have to start winding down operations from 14 February. As it stands, it is business as usual for the staff and volunteers working there, but they don't know how long for.

MSE Guy, thanks for raising the profile of this story, including the lawyers2you aspect. It is a fantastic demonstration of an organisation looking at social responsibilities and impacts at a time like this.

SnowMan

Just want to thank all at MSE also for championing this important issue and for recently highlighting the threats to the Financial Inclusion Funding of debt advice.

Thank you so much

lemonjelly

MSE_Guy wrote: »

We've been told by the CAB that as things stand, there are no plans for Birmingham to shut so it's business as usual. However, as with anything in this economic climate, matters can change quickly.

Yes, in this time anything can change at a moments notice.

If this is Citizens Advice official line, then it is excellent news (I am naturally cautionary). & I repeat, the input of the profile raising of this issue by MSE is highly commendable - & the people of Birmingham, as well as those who work there are very grateful! On behalf of them, many thanks.

wobblywizard

My mum went into the Hull citizens advice today and she was told they're closing in March. As far as I know it's the only branch in Hull

debt_doctor

missnikkai wrote: »

My mum went into the Hull citizens advice today and she was told they're closing in March. As far as I know it's the only branch in Hull

My information on the Hull office is that there will be no change to any client services now that FIF funding has been restored. It may be that the person spoke to had not been updated. Without FIF it's days were numbered, like most CABx.

DD

savingwannabe

My dad has been using them to help me and said the advice given by CAB in Birmingham was invaluable. It is disgusting that the council was even considering closing it down. Funny how bankers who created this crisis still get bonuses whilst the public and public sector jobs suffer. What lessons are being learned here????

edgex

MSE_Guy wrote: »

We've been told by the CAB that as things stand, there are no plans for Birmingham to shut so it's business as usual. However, as with anything in this economic climate, matters can change quickly.

Birmingham CAB were told every year that they received funding from the council that future funding WAS NOT guaranteed
this has been the case for a number of years now

Sueinbirmingham

Given that the CABx were originally set up with public funding (Ministry of Health and National Council of Social Services) and that they provide an essential public service, it's a pity that they have to go through an endless round of begging for funding.