A PLAN to help fight the recession with leaflets has been met with a mixed response by embattled businesses and residents in Redbridge.

The council has spent £1,905 on a series of new information sheets which offer advice to businesses and households on how to make the most of benefits and services available to them during Britain’s gloomy economic climate.

The authority says the scheme is part of a wider strategy helping people in the borough.

But some have questioned the council's spending on the leaflets, claiming the cash could have made a bigger impact if spent elsewhere.

Maria Bookman, of Enigma Hair Salon in Wanstead, said: “It’s a total waste of money.

“We have to pay £536 to the council just for them to collect our rubbish, on top of our business rates. Just a tiny reduction in that would make a huge difference to businesses like ours.”

Her views were echoed by Andy Bolingbroke, manager of the Treasure Chest homeware shop in George Lane, South Woodford.

He said: “If the council wanted to help businesses more they could get us our CCTV cameras they keep promising on George Lane or make parking free on Saturdays. It would help businesses so much, it’s tough times at the moment.”

Unemployed student Jon Clemens, who is currently looking for work, said: “I just think it’s a bit of a waste of time. A lot of people will look at them and just think it’s junk.

“If you want advice you can go to the job centre or citizen’s advice bureaus where the staff are helpful. If the council wanted to make a big difference they could freeze council tax, or even reduce it.”

But the council say there are many people who have welcomed the extra help.

One council interviewee, unemployed Victoria Western, 33, said: “I think it’s important that people see what they are entitled to because benefits are there for exactly these kind of situations.”

Ganesh Muhunthan, 42, who is also searching for a job, also gave the scheme his backing.

He said: “This is my first time trying to claim benefits. I’ve never done it before but the recession has meant that I have had to look for more support."

A council spokesman added: "The council is mindful that these are difficult times when many find themselves in new circumstances and are not aware of the free help, advice, and financial support that is on offer to them.

"We have endeavoured to put as much information as possible online at redbridge.gov.uk in order to keep leaflet costs low.

"A study from the Department of Work and Pensions showed between £6 billion and £10 billion of income related benefits was left unclaimed in 2006-07. This shows that there are a lot of people across the country that are not claiming benefits that they are entitled to.

"If the Council can help point those people in the direction of that help in such a difficult time then we feel that is the right thing to do."

He added: "Alongside this the Council has already thrown its weight behind a variety of schemes to help the business community during the recession.

"A total of £100,000 has been set aside to help businesses through a range of different projects and this is in addition to action already taken such as cutting licensing fees by one per cent, capping street trading fees at £2,000 and establishing an Employment and Skills Partnership Forum to improve coordination between employers and trainers and help access external funding."

The leaflets, which cover advice on business, payments and benefits, free activities, redundancy, family support and reduced household income, will be available from libraries, and most key council buildings.