OVER 12,000 people in Glasgow are to be affected by the "horrifying" impact brought on by five potential Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) centre closures.
A briefing held by CAB has revealed 12,300 people in Glasgow will not get help with claiming benefit entitlements, assistance with debt or advice and information on many of the other issues brought to the Bureaux.
It comes after we exclusively told how council officials had recommended to reject 134 charities, groups, programmes and projects in Glasgow from lifeline funding from the Glasgow Communities Fund.
Of those who could be rejected from the crucial cash included the Castlemilk Bureaux, Bridgeton Bureau, Parkhead Bureau, Easterhouse Bureaux and Glasgow Central Bureaux.
In what has been described as a "devastating blow" for Glasgow, five of the eight city Bureaux are now at risk permanent closure as they face being knocked back from three years' worth of lifeline funding.
The briefing held by the Scottish association has revealed 66 paid workers could also be made redundant alongside losing 149 volunteers.
Bridgeton CAB manager, Frank Mosson said: “These proposals from Glasgow City Council would cut 3 Bureaux in the city and close down another 5. The impact of that on the most vulnerable people in Glasgow would be simply horrifying.
“Last year, the 5 Bureaux under threat of closure helped over 12,000 people, employing 66 paid staff and engaging 149 volunteers.
“This is about much more than numbers on a spreadsheet – this is life-changing work being delivered in local communities to help people.
“It beggars belief that funding for these Bureaux would be removed in the middle of a global pandemic and as we approach the biggest recession in decades.
READ MORE: More than half of Glasgow's Citizens Advice Bureaux facing permanent closure
“It is absolutely heart-breaking that staff who should be helping others through the stormy waters of redundancy as a result of COVID-19 are currently facing redundancy themselves.
“There is still time for Councillors to rethink these cuts, save our CABs and ensure that people get the help they need.”
A total of £47 million worth of awards were due to be determined this month from the Glasgow Communities Fund, however the local authority received an influx of applications totalling to £135 million.
The report is due to go to this Thursday’s City Administration Committee.
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