Welsh charities providing free advice services have been offered nearly £1.9m in extra funding to help meet the challenge of increased demand amid a cut in grants.

Bodies giving advice on debt, housing and welfare, such as Citizens Advice Bureaux, Shelter Cymru and Consumer Focus Wales, are forecast to lose £3.4m in funding over the next year and a half and shed the equivalent of 50 jobs, a Welsh Government review into the sector found.

Huw Lewis, communities and tackling poverty minister challenged not-for-profit bodies in Wales to reduce duplication of services and target services in areas of greatest need

‘Free advice services are more important than ever given the current economic climate and the impact welfare changes are having on whole communities,' Mr Lewis said.

‘Thousands of people rely on this specialist, expert advice, but the reality is their funding is being squeezed at the very time when more people are turning to them for help.

‘I want the sector to do all it can to address issues of duplication and coverage to make sure all communities across Wales can access help.'