New advice lifeline will help workers hardest hit by crisis

Hard-up families and those struggling to find work due to the pandemic have been thrown a £600,000 employment advice lifeline.

Fair Work Renfrewshire is a twoyear project run by Renfrewshire’s Citizens Advice Bureau and funded by Renfrewshire Council.

It will give people free, confidential and impartial advice on things like redundancy, dismissal and the end of furlough.

Experts will also be able to help people with debt and money advice and also check their benefits entitlements if they’ve lost their job or their hours have changed.

Gavin Lovesey, service development manager at Renfrewshire Citizen’s Advice Bureau, said: “We are delighted to be able to provide the new Fair Work Renfrewshire service which will deliver advice and representation on employment issues.

“At a time when we know employers face difficult decisions, it is vital employees and workers have access to free, confidential and impartial advice.

“Our team is looking forward to helping people understand their rights and what options are available to them.

“If you think you have been treated unfairly in your workplace or have any other work-related concerns, please get in touch.”

Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau received £100,000 funding for the service in the council’s 2021/22 budget.

The funding was part of the council’s Social Renewal Plan, which set out the work the council will do with its partners to tackle inequality and poverty, and support families and communities in the wake of Covid-19.

Councillors then approved £665,000 funding for the next stage of the plan, which focuses on tackling poverty and supporting communities, in June.

The money is being used to fund projects which will tackle poverty, support people struggling with rising fuel costs, improve access to benefits and affordable credit, and help community organisations tackle food insecurity.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “The pandemic has been particularly tough for people in Renfrewshire who are on low-incomes and facing job uncertainty, and the end of furlough will make things tougher for some households.

“Fair Work Renfrewshire will help support people during these tough times, giving them access to the advice they need on employment issues.

“The service is being funded by our Social Renewal Plan which continues to provide support for projects that help our communities and tackle the issues they are facing as we navigate our way out of this pandemic.”

To get in touch with Fair Work Renfrewshire, call the Renfrewshire Citizen’s Advice Bureau on 0141 889 2121 or visit www. renfrewshirecab.org.uk