Citizens Advice response to GDP figures

Citizens Advice Chief Executive David Harker said:

"It’s obviously good news that today’s GDP figures reveal that we are coming out of a recession, but for many the impact of the recession will be felt for a long time to come. Some Citizens Advice Bureaux are still seeing people struggling as a result of the last recession.

"Since the start of this recession (April 2008), Citizens Advice Bureaux across England and Wales have seen around 10 million problems presented by around 3 million people.* While the rate of growth in the numbers of people coming to see us is starting to slow down, having peaked in early 2009, we are still see seeing significant numbers of clients coming to see us for help. In particular bureaux are seeing large numbers of people struggling to cope as a result of losing their job or having their pay or hours reduced, in turn leading to difficulties managing loan repayments and pay increasing bills. In some cases people are having to cope with having lost their homes.

"Government measures to address the worst of the fallout from the recession, such as the help packages for homeowners have had a noticeable impact, helping more people to stay in their homes. However it’s vital attention remains on ensuring these measures continue to exist and support people through the longtail of recovery which for many will continue for a long while yet, even as external focus turns towards recovery and green shoots."

• * For the latest Citizens Advice service statistics up until Q2 2009/10 (Jul – Sep 2009): www.citizensadvice.org.uk/press_office-20090112

• The service statistics for Q3 2009/10 (Oct – Dec 2009) will be published mid February. Please email press.office@citizensadvice.org.uk if you wish to receive these.

Notes to editors:

1. 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 www.citizensadvice.org.uk
   For more information and 2008/9 service statistics see Introduction to the service
   For 2008/9 service highlights see the Citizens Advice service impact report
   For 2008/9 social policy campaigning highlights see the Citizens Advice social policy impact report
2. 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.
3. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at over 3,300 locations across England and Wales.
4. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2 million clients on 6 million problems from April 2008 to March 2009
5. Advice and information www.adviceguide.org.uk
6. Volunteer hotline 08451 264264 (local rate)
7. 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
8. Follow Citizens Advice on Twitter: twitter.com/CitizensAdvice
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