CAB debt advisers deserve huge credit

8.12.00am GMT Tue 21st Nov 2006

Alliance North Down Councillor, Ian Parsley

Alliance North Down Councillor Ian James Parsley has said the newly merged North Down Citizens Advice Bureau must be applauded for its work tackling local debt. He said it was an uphill task against aggressive advertising from finance companies.

Speaking having attended North Down Citizens Advice Bureau's AGM, Cllr Parsley stated: "Advisers at North Down Citizens Advice Bureau have worked astonishingly hard to alleviate debt, and associated stress, for people from all walks of live across the borough. The amount of money secured for clients comes to over one million pounds, and the stress

alleviated is priceless.

"Debt advisers are facing an uphill struggle against the aggressive and potentially misleading advertising of some finance companies, particularly on daytime television. These adverts target vulnerable people, but are designed to make the company money rather than

genuinely help the client.

"In this context, the work of advisers at Citizens Advice Bureaux must be applauded and promoted. The scourge of debt must not be allowed to ruin lives in Northern Ireland to the same extent it already has in Great Britain. It is an uphill struggle, but one very much worth taking on."

ENDS