Joyce urges people to use credit union to avoid Christmas debt and to give children a good start (05.08.10)

Local Assembly Member JOYCE WATSON AM encouraged people to use their local Credit Union to start saving for Christmas.

Haven Credit Union attended the recent public advice surgery she organised in Haverfordwest.
Mrs Watson said: “Credit Unions are a force for good, offering their members an easy and convenient place to save, and access to low cost loans when required. They offer a valuable service to everyone – business people, families, employed or unemployed, young people or those who have retired.
“If savers start putting a small amount aside now for Christmas it will help avoid financial difficulties in the new year.
“I am pleased to be a member of Haven Credit Union, which also provides child trust funds.
“However, the new UK Government have decided to axe Child Trust Funds for new born babies, so this week the payments will plummet, then at the end of the year the scheme will be abolished. Other grandparents will be deprived of the chance to pay into their grandchildren’s child trust funds, as I will be doing for my new granddaughter.
“I am bitterly disappointed that the new Conservative/Liberal Democrat Government has chosen not to give our children this hand up.
“The child trust fund can instil the savings habit in whole families, offering saving opportunities for children in low income families, and The Welsh Assembly makes additional payments. None of this will be available to the next generation of our children.”
Local councillor Tom Tudor added: “Credit unions are vehicles for transforming lives – changing communities and making life better for people, and I would urge local people to use them.”
For further details about Joyce Watson’s work or to contact her please click on www.joycewatson.co.uk.
Caption (l to r): Cllr Tom Tudor, Joyce Watson AM, James Roach-John, Chairman, Haven Credit Union and Richard Champness, Volunteer, Haven Credit Union.