A foodbank coordinator urges Dudley Council to rethink cuts to the Welfare Rights Team, which helps residents access vital benefits amid budget reductions.
Dudley: A charity worker is asking Dudley Council to reconsider its decision to cut a key service. Joy Moss, who runs the Stourbridge foodbank, thinks the council’s move is a quick fix that misses the mark.
She says the Welfare Rights Team has helped many foodbank users get the benefits they deserve. Joy believes this team is essential for people to manage their bills, like rent and council tax.
Last year, the team helped secure about £1 million in benefits for those unaware they could claim. The council plans to save £300,000 by cutting this service, but Joy argues that this will hurt vulnerable residents.
She points out that other services, like the Citizens Advice Bureau, are overwhelmed and can’t provide the same level of help. Joy emphasizes that the council is losing a valuable resource that supports people in need.
An open letter from independent councillor Andrew Tromans and others also urges the council to rethink these cuts. They stress that quality welfare advice is crucial, especially with rising energy bills and cuts to benefits.
