CAB: 11,000 ask for help (From Witney Gazette)

CAB: 11,000 ask for help

7:31am Wednesday 30th July 2008 in Witney By David Horne

OVER a third of the workload at Witney's Citizens' Advice Bureau in the past year has been devoted to sorting out problems and queries over the benefits system.

In the majority of cases, they are from older people.

The second highest number of people seeking the agency's help are those with problems over debt.

Barbara Shaw, manager, says: "Credit card debts remain the biggest problem, followed closely by problems with personal loans and bank and building society overdrafts.

"There is a worrying trend now in the increase of clients seeking help with fuel debts and with mortgage arrears, and we are seeing an increase in those who are facing repossession of their homes."

The bureau, at Marlborough Lane, had more than 11,000 enquiries in the last year dealt with by trained volunteers. Its main funding comes from West Oxfordshire District Council.

It has raised all of the £80,000 needed to redevelop its new premises in Witney, but is now aiming to raise £25,000 to improve ancillary offices at Chipping Norton.