The Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) service in Budleigh Salterton has received a cash boost from taxpayers to help fund a crisis phone line for struggling families.

A �500 grant has been rubberstamped by councillors after county chiefs slashed the CAB’s annual budget for next year by 11 per cent.

It follows a plea from the head of the CAB in East Devon Chris Griffiths for �791. He said: “(For the next year)…we have had a cut…of �6,000.

“Fortunately, there has been no cut to our East Devon District Council funding…

“In these stressed times, we are looking to expand and grow our services by new ways of working and increasing access to us by phone. All these innovations take time and some take money to set up…we are more than ever in need of financial support…”

Councillor Alan Dent said: “The government is moving forward with its benefit reforms. This is going to cause chaos…I support this.”

Councillor Courtney Richards said: “The CAB are doing more business in Budleigh Salterton.

“Times are tough and things are getting worse for people - and not better.”

Mayor Dick Mitchell said: “I do feel �500 is plenty in this instance.I don’t think we should be spending council taxpayers’ money too freely.”

Councillor John Shiel said: “�100 for every thousand of the population – I think �500 is fine.”