More than 50 given help with debt problems (From This Is Lancashire)

More than 50 given help with debt problems

7:20am Friday 5th October 2012 in News

A DEBT and welfare advice service aimed at helping residents in Breightmet has helped more than 50 people.

A six-month pilot project was set up at the Breightmet UCAN Centre, with funding from Warburtons, to help people in financial difficulties.

Drop-in sessions with a credit union are already held there on Wednesday mornings and it was arranged for representatives from the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and Money Skills to be there at the same time.

They gave advice to 51 people during the sixmonth scheme, with 40 per cent of them attending follow-up appointments with the CAB.

People seeking advice had debt ranging from £600 to £62,000, with the average at about £10,000. At Breightmet Area Forum meeting, Tony Cottam, UCAN Centre manager, said: “The trigger for a lot of people getting into debt in Breightmet has been the breakdown of white goods and they need to get a loan to replace them.

“We didn’t know the level of debt in the area.

“We have proved there is a massive problem and we are using resources to meet the need.” As a result of the project, David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East, has tabled a motion in Parliament targeting the rise of payday loans, exclusion from mainstream banking services, and a lack of free financial advice.