It would be impossible for the Citizens Advice Bureau to continue to offer the same level of excellent service to Ynys Mon constituents if recent plans to slash funding for the organisation are not reconsidered, according the island’s AM, Rhun ap Iorwerth.

Citizens Advice has been awarded funding by the Welsh Government to provide advice services across Wales from 1 January 2020, and will receive £8.1 million to operate services across all regions in Wales, but the new way in which services will be funded – through the Single Advice Fund – means that local branches such as Ynys Mon’s service, face making staff cuts under the new fund.

Raising concerns regarding this matter in the Assembly this week, Plaid Cymru’s Mr ap Iorwerth said:

“Recent changes to the way Citizens Advice is being funded is going to be leaving some of the most vulnerable people in my constituency even more vulnerable and unable to access help when they most need it, and I’ve asked Welsh Government how it intends to deal with this lack of capacity now to deal with issues that are of importance to my constituents.

“The CAB on Ynys Môn currently have a number of staff working with constituents, but changes to how CAB is funded means that from January next year, this vital service faces significant cuts, making it impossible for CAB to give the kind of advice and service that they have been giving to my constituents.

“I’ve asked Welsh Government for a statement on how on earth they’re meant to cope with that situation, especially when the service has been so good from CAB in recent years.”