Support groups in Bradford district urge struggling residents against using loans to pay for celebrations

Research by Bradford supermarket giant Morrisons has found households across the country will spend an average of £28 less than they did over the festive period last year, with a third of families saying they will consciously be cutting back on presents.

But organisations which help struggling residents across the district last night urged people to show financial restraint over the next two months to avoid a New Year hangover.

Christians Against Poverty (CAP), a national debt counselling charity based in Bradford, with a network of 190 centres in churches across the country, said it was important that families talk to each other to “manage expectations” and avoid turning to loans to pay for their celebrations.

A spokesman said: “It’s important people sit down as a family and discuss their game plan and not leave it until the last minute.

“A lot of our clients have had Christmas loans and things got out of hand until they came to CAP.

“When people take out loans they might think it’s okay, but circumstances can change. People can lose their jobs, suffer illnesses or face expensive car repair bills. We normally see an influx of people around February because by then people realise how serious their circumstances are.

“It’s important to remember you can’t buy the perfect Christmas. You can be dragged into the advertising, but it’s about more important things like having time off work and spending time with your family.”

John Goodfellow, chairman of the Debt Advisory Line, based in Cross Hills, near Keighley, said his company traditionally receives a surge in calls for help in January.

“The festive season is obviously a key emotive period for many when buying expensive gifts, entertaining and, even hosting the Christmas dinner can leave a trail of destruction. People can end up with the headache of picking up the financial pieces when it’s all over.”