Written question asked by Ben Chapman (Labour) on Monday, 4 September 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 September 2006. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 September 2006 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Citizens Advice Bureaux

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will bring forward proposals to fund Citizens Advice Bureaux directly.

Answer: [holding answer 11 September 2006]: The Department does not fund Citizens Advice Bureaux and will not consider doing so in the future.However, the Government recognise that the advice sector plays an import role, particularly in disadvantaged communities. All potential advice providers can bid for a share of any special time-limited grants for which DTI is responsible. For example some Citizens Advice Bureaux are included in the partnerships that gained grants awarded by my Department from the financial inclusion fund, over a two-year period, for providing face-to-face debt advice.

Secondary information