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23-05-2008
Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable was named Citizens Advice Parliamentarian of 2008 at a reception on the Terrace of the House of Commons on Wednesday (21 May).
The MP for Twickenham was chosen for his strong record of working on local issues affecting CAB clients and for his record on fighting nationally for many of the issues that Citizens Advice has been campaigning on, including changes to the 10p tax bracket and the need for a national generic financial advice service, as well as taking banks to task over irresponsible lending.
This is only the second year that Citizens Advice, the national member organisation of Citizens Advice Bureaux, has made such an award, and the first time the winner has been selected as a result of a nomination by his local Citizens Advice Bureau. The winner in 2007 was Treasury Select Committee Chairman John McFall MP.
Citizens Advice Chief Executive David Harker said:
“This award acknowledges an MP or Peer who we have worked closely with both in Westminster and in their constituency to deliver real change. Vince has been forceful in pursuing many of the issues that affect our clients each day, and his views are informed by the experiences of his constituents locally. He is trenchant in taking banks and others to task over irresponsible lending, supportive of the need for a national generic financial advice system and committed to the values of the Citizens Advice Service.”
Dr Vincent Cable MP said:
"The CAB is more needed than ever when there are growing personal debt problems; very few people have access to legal aid; and most people struggle with the complexity of welfare benefits and the laws relating to immigration and asylum, planning, housing and much else. I am honoured to have been singled out for my work with them".
Notes to editors:
- The Citizens Advice service is a network of independent charities that helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see
 www.citizensadvice.org.uk
- The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
- Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at over 3,300 locations across England and Wales.
- Advice and information www.adviceguide.org.uk
- Volunteer hotline 08451 264264 (local rate)
- Citizens Advice Guide to your rights, second edition: January 2008 - over 600 pages of practical, independent CAB advice. An invaluable resource for any bookshelf - available from all good bookshops; price £11.99; ISBN: 9780141034089
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