How much new money for debt advice services will be available as a result of the report of the Working Group on a Replacement for Poinding …

As announced by the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice, in the answer given to question S1W-21207 on 19 December 2001, an additional £3 million per annum will be made available for the provision of money advice. This additional funding is intended to enhance local availability of money advice. It will be targeted on improving front-line services.It is envisaged that this money will be made available through local authorities. As local authorities currently provide the majority of funding for local money advice provision, this has the advantage of building on existing structures and is the best way of ensuring that resources are available quickly. We will consult COSLA on the distribution of additional resources between all local authorities, taking account of relevant factors such as additional outcomes to be secured. The decision on allocations to local authorities will be made by Scottish Executive ministers.We envisage that local authorities will involve local providers in the planning and decision-making process. However, consultation is ultimately a matter for local authorities who are best placed to assess local needs.Support for front-line money advisers, such as training, is currently available from existing national organisations, in particular Money Advice Scotland and Citizens Advice Scotland. The Executive is at present considering whether, given the planned expansion of services, greater support is needed for money advice workers.