CAB Debt Advice meeting the needs of the most vulnerable people – independent research

14th January 2009

An independent analysis of the debt advice provided by Citizens Advice to just under 6,000 people over the past 4 years has concluded that the service provided by CAB is “helping very vulnerable people”.

The independent research report commissioned from PSC Management will be launched
in the Long Gallery in Stormont on Wednesday 14th at 11.30.

Since April 2006 Citizens Advice has held a DETI contract for the provision of a Dealing with Debt money advice service in Northern Ireland and this was renewed in April 2008 for the 3 years to March 2011.

The PSC research shows that the debt advice provided by CAB is very well targeted on those in social need:

• Almost half of all clients came from within the three most deprived deciles in Northern Ireland  ………the overall picture is of client concentration in those areas with highest deprivation scores.

• Those on means tested benefits made up more than half of respondents.

• It should be noted that while the unemployed made up a quarter (25%) of those on the CAB database, the unemployment rate in Northern Ireland (January 2008) is less than five per cent.

PSC Management has undertaken previous research for OFMDFM on over indebtedness in Northern Ireland, and notes that “ those on the margins of the labour market (unemployed, sick, retired) constituted more than half of the CAB sample, but were less than half of the over – indebted group in the OFMDFM sample”.

Derek Alcorn the Chief Executive of Citizens Advice in Northern Ireland welcomed the research:

"This independent research shows that Citizens Advice is delivering debt advice to some of the most vulnerable people in Northern Ireland, and helping them to resolve their debt problems.  We particularly welcome the finding that the service is clearly accessible to those who need it most, and the report’s acknowledgement that CAB data has the clear
potential to clarify the structure and profile of debt in Northern Ireland, and therefore to contribute to the formulation of effective policies by the Northern Ireland Assembly.  In the current financial circumstances, this is of the utmost importance".