A debt-counselling service in Huddersfield helped people cope with £10 million of personal debt last year.

Kirklees Citizens’ Advice Bureau, facing a financial crisis of its own due to a cut in council funding, helped 1,994 clients with £10 million in debts in 2013-14.

The figures were revealed in a meeting between CAB chief executive Mark Lacey and Jane East, Labour’s prospective Parliamentary candidate for the Colne Valley.

The Examiner revealed last year how Kirklees CAB faced a funding cut by Kirklees Council of up to 50%.

The CAB had been given 12 months’ warning of the cuts and is now about to unveil a new, slimmed down service.

It is understood the impact of the cuts have been eased with short term transition funding.

In 2013-14 the CAB’s specialist debt team assisted 1,994 clients with more than £10 million of personal debt, an increase of 25% on the previous year.

Mr Lacey revealed there had been an increasing demand for support with debt issues such as council tax, now the most common debt enquiry.

“Our CAB is currently the ninth highest nationally in terms of clients referred for debt counselling,” said Mr Lacey.

After the meeting Ms East said: “It is clear that Kirklees CAB is doing an excellent job under very difficult circumstances.

“The CAB is in the front line in responding to the real impact of the austerity cuts. Every day CAB advisors support families through the harsh reality of debt.

“Most of the debt advice service is funded but would not exist without core funding from Kirklees Council which has been significantly reduced.

“I was pleased to hear from Mark that a plan is in place to ensure that the service will be maintained albeit in a different form.

“It would be a disaster for local people if CAB services were put under threat.”

Jane East, Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for the Colne Valley
Jane East, Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for the Colne Valley