Date: 28 May 2009 BROCKLEBANK SHOCKED AT STAFF CUTS TO CITIZENS ADVICE AND RIGHTS FIFE IN TIME OF RECESSION Commenting on news that the Citizens Advice and Rights Fife (CARF) has had to reduce its staffing levels, at a time when it is being flooded with calls for help due to the impact of the recession, Ted Brocklebank, Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said;
“It is very disappointing to hear that CARF has had to reduce its staffing levels at a time when it is providing an increasingly important service to the public. Gordon Brown’s recession is causing a growing number of people to experience financial difficulties. Over the past year CARF has managed to assist 1134 people in managing debts totalling £20 million. This is a massive amount of debt and the coming year is only likely to see more people require assistance.
“It therefore seems remarkable that the Council is unwilling to increase funding to CARF, at least to maintain current staffing levels. Rising staff costs have seen the loss of one specialist adviser at a time when I would expect more staff to be recruited to help the large number of Fifers experiencing financial difficulties. To effectively allow a cut to the services offered by CARF is extraordinary in a time of recession and I would urge the SNP/LibDem led Council administration to reconsider their decision.”
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