Concerns Raised over North Ayrshire Citizens Advice Closures

That the Parliament is concerned at reported plans to close four of the five citizens advice bureaux in North Ayrshire by the end of March 2016, which would leave only a central hub in Saltcoats open; understands that this follows the ending of three years of additional funding to provide this service; is concerned that, with North Ayrshire Council's Money Matters service also having been scaled back in previous years, vulnerable people who need support and advice might now find it difficult to access; calls on all of North Ayrshire's MSPs, MPs and councillors, as well as the local authority and North Ayrshire Citizens Advice, to get together and work toward a solution that puts service users first and ensures that people in the area are able to access independent advice.