LEGAL AID CUTS SET TO HIT THE POOREST THE HARDEST
A range of anti-poverty services delivered by Citizens Advice Scotland are under threat thanks to proposed cuts in the Scottish budget.
A potential cut from the Scottish Legal Aid Board of £626,717 will threaten a range of services such as debt and welfare advice.
These cuts which would have a direct impact on the loss of at least 25 staff positions in 15 CABs.
The cut will effect services at Inverness, Lochaber, Skye&Lochalsh, Penicuik, Dalkeith, Central Borders, Peebles, East Dunbartonshire, Fife, Airdrie, Motherwell and Wishaw, West Lothian, Glasgow North West, Argyll and Bute.
Highlands & Islands Regional MSP, Rhoda Grant said “These cuts are as a direct result of the of the SNP and Greens budget deal and hits the poorest families and the poorest individuals hardest. How can this be right. The CAB provide an important and crucial service to the community and the loss of 25 experienced staff to this service is just not acceptable and must be reversed before stage 3 of the budget.