Debt services Budget cuts will hit some of the poorest people in city

BUDGET cuts affecting debt advice services are due to hit some of the poorest people in Bristol struggling to pay their bills.

- Alex SEABROOK Local democracy reporter

The Government has given councils across the country less money this year in a crucial grant that helps support households with the rising cost of living.

Liz Kendall, the welfare secretary, slashed the funding in March for the Household Support Fund by around £100 million, giving councils across England £742 million for the year. So Bristol City Council has £1 million less this year to spend on support like food vouchers and debt advice.

The majority of the £7.1 million that the council has this year will be spent on food vouchers for parents during the school holidays. But a smaller portion, spent on advising people with debt, has ignited a row with the deputy council leader denying "maliciously" misleading campaigners. The cuts were discussed by the strategy and resources policy committee on Monday, June 16.

Green Councillor Heather Mack, deputy leader of the council, said: "I think it's important that we don’t start making accusations in any direction. Sometimes things can be misworded rather than anything malicious intended.