Debts here above national average (From Swindon Advertiser)

Debts here above national average

7:40pm Thursday 16th June 2011 in News

debt levels above the national average, caused by job losses and family breakdowns, are causing hardship in the town.

The UK’s leading debt advice charity, Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) has voiced its concern over the high levels of personal debt in Swindon.

New figures have revealed that Swindon residents contacting the charity for help in 2010 owed an average of £21,552 in unsecured debts, higher than the national average of £19,338.

The charity has also revealed that the amount of people struggling from debt who have got in touch has nearly doubled.

CCCS said 813 people from the Swindon area contacted its helpline for advice in 2010, a rise of 45 per cent in just two years.

Two local charities have echoed the views of the CCCS and have said that they have also seen an increase in the numbers of people struggling with debt in the town.

Claire Newport, Swindon Citizens’ Advice Bureau Manager, said: “We would agree we are seeing considerably more debt in Swindon.

“There has been an increase in the levels of debt and we are seeing people coming in with more than one creditor.

“A lot of people are suffering due to the financial climate and we are seeing a lot more people presenting with family breakdowns.

“Historically Swindon has been an area of high employment but recently some of the big companies have reduced hours or making redundancies. People have been struggling along as long as they can and now people are looking for help.

“We would advise people to seek advice as soon as possible before their debt gets out of hand.

“They should make realistic budget where they can account exactly what is coming in and out and then we can provide a plan after that.”

Patrick Chaney, secretary of the Steam Ahead Credit Union in Cavendish Square, Walcot, said: “There is a lot of debt about and people are really struggling.

“I always say that they should be taught about money handling at school it is so easy for people to accumulate debts, you just need to walk down the high streets and you can easily spend thousands.

“I would say people should join credit unions and save regularly, all be it small amounts.”