Maria spoke to an audience of around 100, which included the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr David Leeks, the Chair of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Anna McNair-Scott, and staff, volunteers, trustees and supporters of the CAB.
Maria said: “Tackling personal debt is a key challenge when helping families out of crisis. That why the role of the CAB is so important. As the Prime Minister David Camerson has said, the CAB is probably the finest organisation in this country for helping people with debt.”
Maria added: “ I pay tribute to the 80+ volunteers who provide an amazing advice service to Basingstoke’s residents which has recently been recognised in an external audit of being of a very high standard indeed. You are part of the backbone of our community, and without your help, many very vulnerable people would be facing very difficult times.”