THE Bishop of Newcastle has appealed to ministers to address the “desperate” situation facing Citizens’ Advice Bureaux amid swingeing cuts.

The Rt Rev Martin Wharton warned a lifeline to more than two million people a year could be lost, describing that as a “false economy”.

In a speech in the House of Lords, he highlighted the importance of Citizens’ Advice Bureaux (CAB) to rural communities like Northumberland particularly in the current economic climate.

He said: “It provides a lifeline for over two million people a year, but the position is becoming desperate. As we have heard, some CABs have had more than 50% of their funding withdrawn.”

Opening hours and services were being cut, with staff redundant and some CAB were closing, said the Bishop, who warned legal aid cuts would worsen the situation as the number of people seeking help was soaring.

“Inevitably, it is the poorest in our society who will suffer the most. People are already struggling with the impact of job losses – that is especially true in my part of the world, the North East – reductions in public services, rising costs of living and increasing levels of debt,” said the bishop.

He added the CAB was excellent value for money and saved public cash in the long run as a volunteer-based service.

“It is almost as if we are cutting off our nose to spite our face. When CABs are forced to reduce their services, they lose highly skilled and dedicated volunteers and staff. That is a tragic waste and surely a false economy.”