Suffolk County Council has announced a funding boost of £45,000 for the county's Local Citizens Advice in a bid to increase support for residents amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

In its 2023/24 budget proposals, the council plans to increase the amount of funding it provides to the Citizens Advice Bureau from £120,000 in the 2022/23 financial year to £165,000 for the 2023/24 financial year. 

The authority says the additional funding reflects the increased demand the service is seeing in light of the current cost-of-living pressures.

Suffolk County Council halved funding in its 2019/2020 budget to £187,000 but made an agreement with the then Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure CABs did not see a difference in funding.

The new budget proposals will be voted on in February. 

Bobby Bennett, cabinet member for equality and communities, said: "We recognise the additional pressures the Citizens Advice and other voluntary organisations are under as more people are seeking support with the rising cost of living.

"People look to Citizens Advice in times of need, to provide friendly, non-judgemental and impartial advice, to help them find a way forward.

"This is why we have set out additional support for the Citizens Advice at this crucial time.

"We will continue work with the Citizens Advice and others to support our residents in the current financial climate."

In a joint statement, the Local Citizens Advice in Suffolk said: "The Local Citizens Advice Network across Suffolk appreciate the financial support given by Suffolk County Council to their core service at a time when we are seeing an increase in demand and also in our own cost base.

"This funding helps us to continue to provide residents across Suffolk with the advice and support they need at this difficult time, and we look forward to working closely with the Council in the future."

Councillor Bennett added: "This is an increase to the core funding Local Citizens Advice receives from the county council and we will continuously seek further opportunities to provide support for one-off projects in the future."