THE support offered to residents by the county's citizens advice service has been highlighted in parliament.

Earlier this week, Claire Keetch, chief executive of Herefordshire Citizens Advice Bureaux (HCAB), attended a parliamentary reception hosted by MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire, Jesse Norman, to discuss 'the preventative advice gap' in the provision of money advice.

There are fears that Herefordshire could become the first county in England to lose its Citizens Advice Bureau, unless emergency funding can be found before June.

Mrs Keetch said: "Herefordshire CAB regularly helps local people to manage their finances.

"People often seek financial help as a last resort once crisis point has already been reached, which may be partially attributable to the social stigma surrounding financial problems and claiming benefits.”

She said that, in the experience of HCAB, the causes of financial problems are often a sudden change in circumstances, such as a relationship breakdown, the birth of a child, or sudden unemployment, which turns a household’s finances upside down. Even an unexpected bill, like increased use of central heating, can mean the difference between heating or eating.

"This issue is particularly predominant in Herefordshire, where approximately 26,700 households have no savings," she said.

"Our advice service responds to problems that have already occurred.

"With people being given more responsibility for managing their money, future funding, commissioning and delivery of money advice services should include preventative action, such as providing advice at key life changing moments, as well as training and support to budget, plan ahead, and save."

For more information on the county's CAB plight visit herefordshirecab.org.uk