Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Glasgow has lauded the work of the Citizens Advice Bureaux and their volunteers in a parliamentary motion tabled this week.

Mr Doris highlighted the vital role that Citizens Advice Scotland plays and how it will be relied upon more than ever when planned UK welfare reforms are implemented.

Over their 18,000 volunteer hours provided each week bureaux advisers across Scotland have dealt with a record number of new issues over 2010/11 (560,303). New benefit issues have increased by 8% to 203,000 and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) issues increased by 33%, accordingly bureau representation at ESA tribunals has also increased sharply by 82%. Bureaux advisors currently spend 1100 working days a year on tribunals alone.

Bob Doris MSP said: “When citizens advice bureaux represent clients at Employment and Support Allowances tribunals, they win 69% of cases. This shows the need for people going through tribunals to have representation and advocacy but also shows that there is something wrong with the ESA decision process itself. CAB advisers are now spending approximately 1100 working days a year on ESA tribunals alone, as well as this, the citizens advice service has seen new benefit issues increase by 8% in the last year. All of this comes at a time of reduced funding for citizens advice services across the country.

"With 230,000 Scots to be reassessed for Disability Living Allowance from 2013 due to Tory cuts, the work of CAB Scotland is going to become increasingly vital and clearly the UK Government must fund it sufficiently. When welfare reform changes bite, then the people of Scotland will turn to their trusted local citizens advice service for support and advice.

“We all know that the preventative measure of good advice is better than the cure of expensive settlement later, and can save society and services money downstream. Therefore, we must ensure that our citizens advice services are supported and resourced. After all, where would people go if they did not have advice and advocacy services to rely on?"

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT MOTION

Date of Lodging: 12 December 2011

Short Title: Citizens Advice Service and Welfare Reform

S4M-01564 Bob Doris () (Scottish National Party):
That the Parliament notes the contents of the Citizen Advice Scotland's publication, Advice in Scotland 2010/11; congratulates bureaux advisers across Scotland for dealing with a reported record number of 560,303 new issues in 2010-11; welcomes the valuable time given by bureaux volunteers in providing 18,000 hours of their time every week; notes that new benefit issues increased by 8% to 203,000 and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) issues increased by 33%; further notes that representation at ESA tribunals increased by 82% and that bureaux advisers now spend approximately 1,100 working days a year on tribunals alone and win 69% of cases; considers that independent advice services are a vital preventative service in Scotland and will be essential when UK welfare reform is introduced; notes the concern of bureaux regarding future funding and acknowledges the call of the Health and Sport Committee for the UK Government to provide additional resources for advice and advocacy services, and calls on all MSPs to support their local and national citizens advice service.