Jane Hutt, Minister for Finance and Leader of the House
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
I am today announcing £105,000 for funding of Specialist Discrimination Case workers for a further six months from April to September 2013. These are located in Flintshire Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Newport Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Race Equality First.
The Welsh Government is currently undertaking an Advice Services Review. I am announcing the funding today pending the outcome of that review in order to ensure the continuation of posts that might otherwise come to an end. Any potential for further funding of the posts will be considered in the light of the outcome of the Welsh Government’s Advice Services Review.
The Welsh Government is fully aware that advice funding in Wales has already seen major cuts over the past few years from the UK Government. With the imminent further significant cuts to legal aid funding announced by the UK Government, access to free and accessible discrimination advice faces a further threat.
Within the Welsh Government’s Strategic Equality Plan, one of our seven outwardly focused equality objectives is to strengthen advice, information and advocacy services to help people with protected characteristics understand and exercise their rights and make informed choices.