2,000 people on waiting list for financial advice

UP to 2,000 cash-strapped people are on waiting lists for face-to-face appointments for a free government-funded debt service, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).

A large percentage of those are waiting for more than a month for assistance after the numbers seeking help from MABS jumped by 37% from 2007 to 2008.

In 2008, more than 16,600 clients approached MABS for help with debt difficulties, while the telephone helpline dealt with almost 11,000 callers.