VALUE OF CITIZENS ADVICE SERVICE IN SCOTLAND

That this House congratulates Citizens Advice Scotland on the launch of a new film and report demonstrating the value of the Scottish CAB Service; welcomes the report from the respected Fraser of Allander Institute which shows that the Service, consisting of 61 citizens advice member bureaux giving advice from over 200 service points, contributes 166.2 million to the economy; notes that this financial contribution includes savings of 60 millionin healthcare costs, homelessness services and unemployment benefits which are avoided through the provision of preventative advice; commends the support of 1,246 jobs and 27.4 million in wages across Scotland through the additional 63 million financial income gained for CAB clients through advice and a further 1,092 jobs which are supported or created by the CAB Service as employers; further welcomes the short film, Depend On Us, which highlights the variety of work that citizens advice bureaux deal with and the positive benefits that clients gain from visiting a CAB; and values the work of all those who work in the Citizens Advice Service in Scotland.