WELFARE advice services targeting the district’s poorest communities will continue for a further three years, thanks to an extra £3m of funding from Bradford Council.

The investment from the council’s Public Health department aims to target the link between poverty, debt and ill health by offering greater access to welfare and debt advice within communities.

The range of advice services aim to reach households where individuals are long-term sick or disabled, carers, lone parents, unemployed or low paid.

Councillor Imran Hussain, deputy leader of Bradford Council, said: “The community-based welfare advice services have been greatly appreciated and welcomed by the people who have used them.

“Often the services have been the starting point for people to understand the kind of support they can get, bringing a range of organisations together.

“Our evaluation of the programme shows how important it is to have advice delivered in a range of venues across the district in order to reach the most vulnerable people in our society.

“Tackling poverty, health inequalities and supporting the vulnerable are council priorities and the part played by advice services has been recognised, despite the big spending cuts the council has been forced to undertake.”