Rossendale Citizens Advice Bureau facing financial crisis (From Lancashire Telegraph)

It may make financial sense to consider mergeing the two services. however access to these vital services must be maintained. I hope the council will defend this service particularly at this stressfull time.

I agree, but CAB's throughout the land are being affected. Darwen's appears to be closed permanently (phone message was 'closed indefinitely' last time I tried it a while ago, don't think it's changed) and Blackburn's appears only open 2 days a week. Becoming like gold dust, the more close the less chance ordinary people have access to the already diminished free services out there as and when they need them.

Blackburn also has a One Stop Shop. Unfortunately, due to CAB's closing around the region or about to, it's become so heavily subscribed - there are only two debt advisors for example at Blackburn council OSS FAIK, and I am aware they are swamped with debt problems - which means eventually it may also become financiall overwhelmed and people will lose out again.

Even some of the debt charities are struggling, precisely because CAB, any free advice service (one in Darwen right next to Janet Anderson's office, some irony there!; was run down, empty for ages now, of all things, it's turned into one of those obscene street corner money lending outfits. You know? The ones where you go in, can get cash, then they charge you anything up to 1000 percent interest if not more over a month? It's obscene, but Darwen is a prime target for money lenders because of it's deprived situation; people will borrow from them, though, not fully appreciating and sometimes understanding what they are getting into; they aren't regulated for example sometimes, people DO show up on your doorstep if you don't pay; same with Bright House BTW but I digress!).

But I have become convinced over time that our government really doesn't want anyone who can't afford to pay for it, to have that free advice CAB offers. Just another way of making the gap between rich and poor frighteningly wider. Poor get punished, those who can afford to wade through today's financial problems and not worry don't. It's wrong, but why isn't anyone in goverment standing up CAB or any free advice service? Silly me, too busy losing sleeplness nights probably over that 10 grand they claimed last week for a new toilet seat, whether they'll get found out in the end. Such is the way of this country.

Certainly running down one section of the country will ensure that many fall for the 'we are your saviours' line each party peddles out like the promise of sweeties in Hansel and Grettle and just as false with it, makes people liable when such things are announced.

Oh, before anyone says 'you shouldn't borrow money, then'. Try this: you lose your job today, you struggle. So, you either die of starvation, lose your home, rented place. Something which I am certain none of our MPs bother over because they are quite well living in a very feathered nest. Won't be happening to them is what I am saying!

That should say 'pliable' not 'liable' above.