Citizens Advice Bureaux Funding Quick Facts
Subject: Funding of Citizens Advice Bureaux (CABx), Citizens Advice, and Citizens Advice Scotland (also known as the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux or CAS).
Relevant or Related Legislation: Enterprise Act 2002 (Section 274) implemented in April 2003 which replaced Section 20 of the Competition Act 1980.
Current Position: The Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) supports, through annual grant in aid, Citizens Advice, which is the umbrella organisation for CABx in England and Wales. The Department does not fund or support individual local CABx.
Citizens Advice is an independent organisation that provides leadership for the individual CABx in England and Wales and is responsible for IT, training and the membership scheme including the setting and maintaining of standards for local Bureaux.
The Department also supports its sister organisation, Citizens Advice Scotland, that leads the CAB Service in Scotland.
Recent Relevant Campaigns or Consultation:
Both Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland undertake a number of campaigns and research projects each year. To find out more please call Citizens Advice on 020 7833 2181 or Citizens Advice Scotland on 0131 550 1000.
Key Facts:
• Each CAB is a separate registered charity and operates independently with its own Board of Trustees.
• Total Non-Govt Funding for CAB in England and Wales in 2005/06 was £161m approx. This includes
£71.0m Local Authority Funding
£29.0m Legal Services Commission
£31.1m Financial Inclusion Fund
£30.0m Other
• Comparable information for Scotland is not published
• There are 514 main bureaux throughout the UK: 431 in England and Wales, 55 in Scotland and 28 in Northern Ireland. There are also 3800 outreach centres, (located mainly in such places as magistrates courts and hospitals).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who funds my local Citizens Advice Bureaux?
Q2. Why doesn't Central Government fund my local Citizens Advice Bureaux?
Q3. What do I do if I have a complaint against my local CAB?
Q4. What about Northern Ireland?
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Q1. Who funds my local Citizens Advice Bureaux? Each local CAB is an independent registered charity that is funded by a variety of sources. The bulk of funding for CAB comes from local authorities that provide funding in the light of local needs and priorities.
Q2. Why doesn't Central Government fund my local Citizens Advice Bureaux? Each CAB provides a service that is geared toward the needs of local people. Each CAB responds to issues as they arise. CABx do much to promote social regeneration by helping individuals and building stronger communities. Many bureaux are active in their local communities, working in partnership with public and other voluntary organisations to respond to the needs of their communities.
Q3. What do I do if I have a complaint against my local CAB? You should follow the Citizens Advice complaints procedure. More details can be found on the citizensadvice.org.uk web site.
Complaints about CABx in Scotland should be directed to:
Kaliani Lyle
Chief Executive Officer
Citizens Advice Scotland
1st Floor Spectrum House
2 Powderhall Road
Edinburgh EH7 4GB
Telephone: 0131 550 1000
Q4. What about Northern Ireland? CABx in Northern Ireland are led by Citizens Advice which is not funded by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. This organisation can be contacted at:
Citizens Advice
46 Donegall Pass
Belfast
BT7 1BS
Telephone: 028 9023 1120
Website: www.citizensadvice.co.uk
Enquiries: Issues about local authority funding of CAB in England and Wales should be referred to:
The Dept. for Communities and Local Authorities
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5DU
Helpline: 020 7944 4400
Fax: 020 7944 4101
Issues about local authority funding of CAB in Scotland should be referred to the Scottish Government:
Mrs N S Munro
Scottish Government Headquarters
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Telephone: 0131 556 8400