Local Mp Receives National CAB Award

4.51.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 22nd May 2008

This week the Citizens Advice Bureau made MP Vincent Cable their 'parliamentarian of the year' in an award ceremony at the House of Commons.

The award is to recognise the contribution of MPs to the work of Citizens Advice locally and nationally particularly in relation to the money, legal and other problems on which the CAB gives advice.

Vincent Cable said: "I work closely with the CAB which provides invaluable help and advice to thousands of local people, as well as in comparable bureaux across the country. Like other voluntary bodies it struggles to raise enough money from councils and other grant giving bodies to operate effectively. But the demand for its services is rising rapidly particularly at a time when the economy is deteriorating, peoples' debt burdens are rising and many people are struggling to pay their mortgages and other bills. Also, the virtual disappearance of legal aid and the growing complexity of the tax credit and benefit system mean that only the CAB can resolve money problems".

"I have championed the CAB as an absolutely essential service particularly for people who are struggling to pay their bills and manage their debts. The public know that the CAB is reliable and independent and is not trying to sell them something they don't want."