Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD ENCOURAGES CONSTITUENTS WITH DEBT TO SEEK HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

MSP CONCERNED THAT MORAY HAS HIGHEST AVERAGE OUTSTANDING DEBT

Moray’s MSP has called on people in Moray who are struggling with debts to seek help as soon as possible to tackle the problem.

Mr Lochhead’s call comes after new figures released by StepChange Debt Charity showed that residents of Moray who had contacted the charity in 2015 had the highest average outstanding debt, £18,000, of all Local Authority areas in Scotland. 

The figure has alarmed the SNP MSP, who wants to raise awareness of the help that is available to people in debt.

Commenting, Richard Lochhead said:

“I was alarmed to learn when I met with StepChange in the Scottish Parliament that people in Moray had the highest level of outstanding debt of all local authority areas in Scotland.  

“Sadly, it is no secret that the austerity agenda coming from the Tory Government and the high cost of living mean that too many families and households in Moray are struggling.  Household budgets are overstretched for many tax payers and it is worrying that an unexpected problem can see families fall into debt problems.      

“There are huge pressures on people’s budgets, particularly at this time of the year, and it is important to highlight that there is free advice and help available out there.  I would encourage anyone who is having to borrow money to pay their bills, or struggling to clear outstanding debts, to speak to charities like StepChange as soon as possible, to get advice and to tackle their problem.”

Commenting, the Scottish Public Affairs Officer for StepChange Debt Charity James Stewart said:

“Debt can happen to anyone, and most people are not aware of how little it can take to fall into a spiral of problem debt.

“The vast majority of people who contact us have had a negative change in their circumstance, such as losing their job or having their hours cut. But it can also be as simple as the boiler or your car unexpectedly breaking down. 

“It really can happen to anyone, so that’s why it’s important for the public to know that there are free debt advice organisations out there like StepChange Debt Charity who can help.

“If you are borrowing to cover your household bills, or stuck in a cycle of minimum payments, the time to act is now.”