MONEY EXPERTS OFFER HELP TO CUT ‘HUNDREDS OF POUNDS’ OFF BILLS

FAMILIES could help themselves to savings running into hundreds of pounds – with free help from city-based experts.

Potteries Money Wise (PMW) runs one-to-one sessions to help people maximise their income by checking benefits and bills, and offering advice on how to make their money go further when shopping.

Now the organisation, the financial capability arm of Citizens Advice North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-trent, is running regular online ‘live’ sessions.

A spokesman said Covid restrictions had forced it to switch its face-to-face advice to telephone and web chats.

She said: “We check they receive the right benefits, claim any discounts available applications for additional help with rent and council tax, winter fuel allowance etc, and look at ways of reducing expenditure, for example utility tariff checks for gas and electricity, savings and price comparisons, and general conversations about spending money.”

The spokesman said the group’s last two events attracted 210 people, and identified average savings in gas and electricity bills of £472 per year.

She added: “Where we are able to complete Big Difference applications for Severn Trent, annual water bills can be reduced by as much as 90 per cent.”

The next live session takes place tomorrow between 10am and 4pm. It includes introductory 30-minute web talks at 11am and 1pm, and live tariff checks at 10am, midday and 2pm. Log on at www.casnsvirtual.org.

■ Anyone with money worries can call PMW on 01782 408625 or email moneyadvice.snscab.org.uk.