Council announces extra debt advice provision

31/10/2008

Debtors in Scotland have been given a boost - with a local council announcing an extra commitment to debt services.

The Renfrewshire local authority is to spend £214,000 on the services, due to more and more people in the area falling into debt as a result of the recent economic downturn and rise in inflation.

Annual price rises have hit a 16-year high of 5.2 per cent, while the economy as a whole shrank by 0.5 per cent over the three months to September.

Meanwhile, the credit crunch has led to many lenders toughening up their restrictions on potentially risky borrowers.

Renfrewshire's extra services - which might be adopted by other councils in the UK if successful - include new money advice sessions to be held in GP surgeries and additional provision for local debt advice services.

Speaking to the BBC, local council leader Derek Mackay said: "Renfrewshire is no different to anywhere else in the difficulties people are facing in the current economic downturn.

"What we want to do is give people, particularly vulnerable groups, the best advice and support that we can to prevent financial problems or stop these problems escalating."

Tags; Housing Debt and Bills, Credit Card Lifestyle,

Regional Debt Advice; Debt Help Renfrewshire, Debt Advice Renfrew,

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