Huntly charity deals with £13m debts

THE Huntly-based independent advice charity Gordon Rural Action is currently handling more than £13 million of client debt.

The organisation’s advice centres in Huntly, Inverurie and Ellon have responded to a record number of requests for help from local people over the last 12 months.

The exceptional workload is being put down to welfare reforms and debt.

In the 12 months to the end of March 2015, Gordon Rural Action’s advisers helped nearly 3,000 people.

The organisation, which has its Huntly base in the Business Centre, is now preparing for the rollout of Universal Credit to Jobcentres in Aberdeenshire, which is scheduled to commence on May 25 and will involve new claimants across the north-east.

Gordon Rural Action’s chairwoman Sarah Flavell said: "Our year-end statistics underline the growing need for GRA’s services."

For the full story see ‘The Huntly Express’ print version.

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