One Size Fits All...
Well it probably doesn't!
For anyone reading from abroad. We have a voluntary public service called the Citizen's Advice Bureau. It offers legal and general advice to any member of the public who are worried or require help with just about anything you can think of from debt to problems at work, help with dealing with problems with benefit/welfare worries.
The important thing is that the service is free. Though I have no doubt they welcome a donation if it's available. It has to be because it does often deal with our most vulnerable of society. The other advantage is that it is confidential and when you are perhaps dealing with your most private matters, you wish to feel that what you are saying goes no further.
Therefore, yesterday Lunchtime at the end of a BBC Radio 4 News programme a report was broadcast how a part of the UK is angry and a petition of at least 10,000 signatures has been collected because a branch of the CAB has had it's finances reduced and I believe could close as the Government has decided to put out a directive that a variety of companies can try and offer advice and tend for the contracts and who can be shown to do the work for less will be awarded the contract.
The companies also being looked at will be doing the work on a profit basis. The information on the radio suggested the reason being given for change was that all advice on everything is under one roof and they would be able to stay open for longer. The new companies are working on a model which will be on a profit basis.
But my concern and I guess it is also in the back of those who have used the CAB and signed that petition is...How independent is the new service and how sure can we be that what we talk about remains private and confidential.
Especially, if some of the problems you take with you area against Government departments.
You may feel that you are unable to say all that you wish and find advice given is no longer as independent. The CAB will give unbiased advice but also advice from a variety of sources and leave you to decide the direction you wish to take.
If you go to a Government appointed agency they will probably advise one course. And if you have a complaint against a council or government department whereas an independent organisation like the CAB will work on your behalf, can you see one Government Agency working against another?
Are the new services being offered to save money? Are they being offered so that they can push a particular viewpoint? Or are they genuinely being suggested as an alternative to the CAB because they wish to offer a better service? I'm afraid I feel very cynical about the whole matter.
I know how much the CAB has helped me over the years and taken a lot of worry and stress off my shoulders and I fear for it's future.
For anyone reading from abroad. We have a voluntary public service called the Citizen's Advice Bureau. It offers legal and general advice to any member of the public who are worried or require help with just about anything you can think of from debt to problems at work, help with dealing with problems with benefit/welfare worries.
The important thing is that the service is free. Though I have no doubt they welcome a donation if it's available. It has to be because it does often deal with our most vulnerable of society. The other advantage is that it is confidential and when you are perhaps dealing with your most private matters, you wish to feel that what you are saying goes no further.
Therefore, yesterday Lunchtime at the end of a BBC Radio 4 News programme a report was broadcast how a part of the UK is angry and a petition of at least 10,000 signatures has been collected because a branch of the CAB has had it's finances reduced and I believe could close as the Government has decided to put out a directive that a variety of companies can try and offer advice and tend for the contracts and who can be shown to do the work for less will be awarded the contract.
The companies also being looked at will be doing the work on a profit basis. The information on the radio suggested the reason being given for change was that all advice on everything is under one roof and they would be able to stay open for longer. The new companies are working on a model which will be on a profit basis.
But my concern and I guess it is also in the back of those who have used the CAB and signed that petition is...How independent is the new service and how sure can we be that what we talk about remains private and confidential.
Especially, if some of the problems you take with you area against Government departments.
You may feel that you are unable to say all that you wish and find advice given is no longer as independent. The CAB will give unbiased advice but also advice from a variety of sources and leave you to decide the direction you wish to take.
If you go to a Government appointed agency they will probably advise one course. And if you have a complaint against a council or government department whereas an independent organisation like the CAB will work on your behalf, can you see one Government Agency working against another?
Are the new services being offered to save money? Are they being offered so that they can push a particular viewpoint? Or are they genuinely being suggested as an alternative to the CAB because they wish to offer a better service? I'm afraid I feel very cynical about the whole matter.
I know how much the CAB has helped me over the years and taken a lot of worry and stress off my shoulders and I fear for it's future.
posted by The Great Gildersleeve | 11:01 am
2 Comments:
Unbelievable Gildy! I didn't know this was happening; is it general or just in certain areas? Irony is that it's now with the situation in the country seeming to worsen daily that more people will need CAB etc.
Span,
I think this was in the Hull area(but I cannot decide if it's a trial run)and if it works they'll roll the idea out across the UK.
They are asking for organisations to put bid for their franchise.
It's getting to the point where you feel they are changing things just for the sake of it or they don't know what else to do.
But I get an uneasy feeling about it all.
Radio 4 did at least 5 minutes on the story so they thought it important enough(may be still available on Listen Again)On was the World At One on Sunday approx 13.23pm 29th June 2008
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