New Money Advice Service For Western Isles

27 August 2002

A new money advice service is to be made available in the Western Isles. The service will be provided through the Western Isles Citizen’s Advice Service (WICAS) which has offices in Stornoway, Tarbert, Balivanich and Castlebay. It will be a development of the current money advice service provided by WICAS through a part time volunteer worker.

It is hoped that more people who have money problems will be assisted and that there will be a decrease in the numbers facing repossession or eviction. Money advice services will be available in Lewis, Harris, the Uists and Barra.

The Scottish Executive has allocated £20,000 each year from 2002/03 to support the development of money advice services in the Western Isles. 5 paid staff and 4 volunteers will result from the new service.

Vice-Convener and Chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee, Roddy Murray, said: “Money problems are a scourge for many people in our society and it is essential that people have access to good, practical advice and assistance. This new service will greatly improve the assistance available for people who face these kinds of problems, often through no fault of their own”.

ENDS

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Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk