Is there anything else we can help you with ?

The Budget - implications for our communities and how we can help.

It will be some time before independent research can shed light on the implications of the July budget for Wales, South East Wales or even Torfaen.

We can help households across Torfaen manage by giving the right advice.

Citizens Advice Chief Economist Hugh Strickland says.. 

"...more concerning is the significant reduction in support through the tax credit system. £3.5 billion of support is taken away next year, rising further as limits to two children are imposed in 2017. This will have a serious impact on working families who are low paid but paid above the National Living Wage, for example families earning between £14,000 (for one full-time worker) to £25,000 (for one full-time and one part-time earner). [for example] A couple, one working full-time, the other part-time, with two children could well lose over £2,000 per year." full article can be found here

It is likely to certain that a large number of families in our local communities will fall into the category that Hugh refers to. 

'Is there anything else we can help you with ?'

In the coming days we will be asking all our advisers to offer an MOT style support package (provided by our casework team) of advice and support with budgeting, debts, benefits, fuel savings and access to other forms of support or help such as food banks, families first and others.

We owe it to our clients to make sure they have the information to manage the changes.

Scams Awareness Month

July is scams awareness month. We are collecting examples of scams to publicise on our Facebook pages so please send any examples you have come across recently to mal.edgson@torfaencab.org.uk

You can play the Scams Awareness Game here

New Advisers

The week we welcome onto our advice rota Jade Ngai and Cynthia King. well done both of you, we hope you enjoy the role.

Dates

Next Bureau Team meeting - correction: Wed 17th September 1pm - 4pm All staff and volunteers are welcome.

Bank Holiday closures: Mon 31 Aug.

Christmas Closure 2015: The Bureau will be closed from 12.30pm on Thu 24th Dec and will reopen on Mon 4th Jan 2016. There will be no outreach sessions on Thu 24th. Bureau staff will need to take annual leave on the following days. 24th (half day), 30th, 31st Dec.

Feedback

I always welcome feedback from staff and volunteers, you can ring me on 01633 876128 send an email at mal.edgson@torfaencab.org.uk, write a letter, comment on this blog, place your comment or suggestion in the comments box in the Cwmbran meeting room, feed it through your line manager or Advice Session Supervisor or come and see me.

This Blog is prepared for the staff and volunteers of Citizens Advice Torfaen