Emma Wakefield The Politics Show South East

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Although debt levels are falling - the poor pay more

The poor pay more

People in the South East are sinking into debt as credit card spending and personal loans spiral out of control.

The average debt in the region is now running at �30,210 per person and Sussex is sixth highest on the list of bankruptcy hotspots.

With no access to reasonable credit those who most need to borrow money often have to resort to high interest loans from unforgiving lenders.

As David Cameron sets out a plan to eradicate poverty and build "the nation of the second chance" we ask, 'what happened to Labour's promise to lift people out of poverty?'

Mums army

It is free to stand for your local Council and anyone over 21 can do it so "Take a Break" magazine has launched a mum's army to tackle yob culture by standing in their local council elections.

Donna Stills from Gillingham explains why she felt it was time to take up politics.

Rant of the week

Nick Hollington from Bexhill-on-Sea fronts a campaign against proposed plans to build a landfill site and waste transfer station in his home town.

This week he tells us why the council's inability to listen to ordinary people makes him really angry. East Sussex County Council exercise their right to reply.

Paper review

This week Paul Francis, Political Correspondent of the Kent Messenger group, fills the guest reviewer slot with his take on the week's regional and national stories.

Paul Siegert

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The Politics Show South East

Join Paul Siegert on the Politics Show on Sunday 29 January 2006 at Noon on BBC One.

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