LOCAL Government Minister Hilary Armstrong will talk about tackling poverty and social exclusion when she speaks at the Wear Valley Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) meeting, next week.

The MP will also hear about the work carried out by the bureau over the year to help with problems arising from deprivation.

Advice from staff at the bureau is vital to boosting low incomes by getting people on the right benefit.

Over the past three years, the health centre-based service at Crook and Stanhope has generated more than £700,000 in benefit income for local people.

The bureau also helps with difficulties over maternity rights, holiday pay, debts, employment insecurity, sickness and disability.

Hilary Widdowfield, Wear Valley CAB manager, said: "The issues that we deal with on a day-to-day basis derive from problems such as unemployment, low income, poor housing, bad health and family breakdown.

"The Government is trying to tackle them, in a joined-up way, through its social exclusion unit. We know Hilary plays an important part in the unit and are looking forward to hearing about the progress that has been achieved so far and how perhaps the bureau can play a part in the wider plan."

The meeting, on Friday, October 27, starts at 7pm, at Bishop Auckland Methodist Church, in Cockton Hill Road, and is open to the public.