Debt levels in Burton hit £25m

HARD-UP Burton families have seen their personal debt levels TRIPLE in the last year, an advice group says.

The amount of debt being dealt with by a Burton advice bureau has rocketed to £25 million.

East Staffordshire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) helped clients with £7.7 million of debt in 2005/06, but the figure has more than trebled to £25 million in the last year.

CAB bosses say it is crucial those with money troubles seek advice before a ‘molehill becomes a mountain’.

In one case, a client was referred to the bureau three days before being evicted from their property for mortgage arrears.

A possession hearing had already taken place but the client had not attended.

An emergency appointment was arranged with the bureau, which helped to show the client he could afford his mortgage and repay arrears.

The eviction was stopped and a repayment offer was made to the mortgage lender and accepted at court. The family managed to keep its home.

CAB chief executive Dawn Trigg said: “In this heightened time of a recession, there is a real need for people to seek advice.”

Latest figures suggest 2,471 people in East Staffordshire are claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA).

Of these, there are 260 claimants in the Anglesey ward, 132 in Burton, 221 in Eton Park, 218 in Horninglow, 231 in Shobnall, 264 in Stapenhill and 249 in Winshill.

Dean Piper, economic regeneration manager at East Staffordshire Borough Council, said: “Almost 30 per cent of JSA claimants in East Staffordshire are aged between 18 and 24, with a significant proportion in the 25 to 49 age range.

“A total of 74 per cent of people have been claiming JSA for up to six months, which highlights the short term impact of the down turn in terms of people being made redundant.

“This figure is expected to increase as those people who have lost their jobs over the last year struggle to get back into work.”

To encourage people to access help the CAB is holding an open morning at its new offices in Anson Court, Horninglow Street, Burton, on Friday, October 16 between 10am and 1pm.

A new debt advice line has also been launched on 01283 527985.

Ms Trigg said: “We offer free, independent and confidential advice to everyone, regardless of race, culture, sexual orientation, disability, age or income.”

Source: http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/burtonmail/displayarticle.asp?id=455331