Increase of over £2k for those in debt
Local charity Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau today publishes its annual advice trend statistics for the year-ending 31st March 2015. The charity helped 6170 people directly with advice and information on 15081 individual problems.
On average, clients with money problems have debts totaling £14,746.65, up by £2,046.48 compared to the previous year when the average was £12,700.17.
The amount of advice that the charity has been able to provide has increased in the following areas compared to last year:
Welfare benefits
• 28.4% increase in enquiries about council tax benefit/local support
• 26.4% increase in enquiries about tax credits
• 26.0% increase in enquiries about pension credit
Debt
• 15.2% increase in enquiries about payday loans
• 13.9% increase in enquiries about telephone and broadband debts
• 8.0% increase in enquiries about fuel debts
Employment
• 128.5% increase in enquiries about self-employment
• 65.5% increase in enquiries about pay and entitlements
• 61.1% increase in enquiries about terms and conditions of employment
Housing
• 129.6% increase in enquiries about owner occupier property
• 50.0% increase in enquiries about housing association property
• 32.9% increase in enquiries about private sector property
Exeter CAB Chief Executive Steve Barriball said: “This is a worrying upward trend in the average debt per client, up by over £2,000 on the same period last year. It is good news that things continue to look up on the wider economic front. But for many individuals and families the combination of squeezed wages, the impact of welfare reform, and rising childcare costs are all features contributing to the increased debt levels.“
Steve continued: “We call on the new Government to take action to address failings in the benefits system, address low pay and the cost of living, provide more security for those in work, and provide additional assistance to those struggling to get on the property ladder; either as property owners or tenants.”
Steve finished by saying:
“We are committed to continue to provide the advice people need for the problems they face. However, we can only continue to do this if we have the necessary resources and we need to increase public and business donations. Anyone wishing to support our work can donate on-line by going to the Donation Support section of our website (www.exetercab.org.uk)”
Alternatively, donations can be made in person at the new Bureau offices on Dix’s Field in Exeter.
