Debt advice boost amid downturn

Renfrewshire Council has reported a 72% rise in debt cases

An extra �214,000 is to be put into debt advice services in Renfrewshire following a "sharp increase" in people needing help during the credit crunch.

The year-long funding package, set to be approved by councillors on Thursday, aims to boost council and voluntary sector money advice services.

These include out-of-hours debt advice and GP surgery money advice sessions.

Renfrewshire Council said more people had been reporting problems with rising bills and interest payments.

In the past year there has been a 9% increase in inquiries to the council's advice works service and a 72% increase in debt cases being handled by local Citizens Advice Bureaux.

The council said there had also been a rise in the number of people with "complex and multiple debt problems".

Council leader Derek Mackay said: "Renfrewshire is no different to anywhere else in the difficulties people are facing in the current economic downturn.

"What we want to do is give people, particularly vulnerable groups, the best advice and support that we can to prevent financial problems or stop these problems escalating."

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