This week the newspapers have been dominated by stories on the 2010/11 budget, announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, on Wednesday.
It seems likely that the budget will affect adult, further and higher education institutions across the United Kingdom, with a £449 million cut to universities already having being announced at the beginning of February.
As a result, as an employee in the post-school education sector, you may be feeling daunted by the possible affects of cuts on your community, such as pay freezes, redundancies or taking on more responsibilities.
Remember you contact us at anytime to discuss changes at work and how to cope best with them. Our free, confidential Support Line is available 24 hours a day on 08000 32 99 52. Alternatively, try our Online Support Services, including one-on-one advice via email and our searchable InfoCentre.
On top of this, its not just national finances that have been affected by the economic downturn. It has also had a negative effect on the budgets of individuals - and use of our services demonstrates the extent of financial problems amongst teachers.
In 2009 we awarded £57,492 in grants to teachers in need - up 25 per cent on the previous year. This trend has continued in 2010: in January and February we awarded almost £20,000 in grants; three and a half times more than during the same time last year.
Making ends meet can be tough for anyone, especially during a time of economic difficulty. Remember that we offer grants to anyone working in further and higher education (and those who have retired from the sector) for a wide range of reasons. Just call us on 08000 32 99 52 to discuss your situation and we will talk you through the process. You can also find more information here .
For free and confidential advice on how to manage your money or get out of debt, or if you simply want to talk to someone about your concerns, you can call us and ask to speak to a money advisor on the same number.
Alternatively, you may find the following factsheets useful:
