Credit charity speaks out on Bradford's debt crisis (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Struggling families stuck in a spiral of credit as household finances squeezed, warns charity

10:10am Monday 11th June 2012 in News By Dolores Cowburn, Bradford Chief Reporter

The squeeze on household finances is tightening in Bradford, according to new figures from a UK debt advice charity.

Up to 1,014 Bradford residents contacted the Consumer Credit Counselling Service for help last year, with each one an average of £18 a month worse off than they were in 2010.

The average person was also £19 short of the amount of money needed to cover their basic living expenses.

That does not even include debt repayments they have to make each month on an average debt of £16,643.

Delroy Corinaldi, CCCS director of external affairs, said: “Households in Bradford are under relentless pressure from a combination of low wage growth and the rising cost of living. I am concerned that as the financial squeeze continues to tighten, many more people in Bradford are at risk of falling into serious debt.

“No-one should have to struggle with this problem alone. Free, impartial and independent advice is available from debt charities such as CCCS – and the most important step you can take is to seek free advice as soon as you start to fall behind.”

The news comes just days after the Bradford and Airedale Citizen’s Advice Bureau appealed for more volunteers after they revealed that queues form outside the George Street branch most days with people desperate for help.

Many people have been struggling to offer their voluntary services because the CAB’s website mistakenly stated that they did not need volunteers earlier this week, but that issue has now been fixed. Anyone wishing to help can visit citizensadvice.org.uk.

Razina Bostan, the CAB’s general service manager, said that volunteers were needed in all three branches across the district.

“We need those with IT skills, adminstration experience and to work on reception,” she said.

“People struggling for advice who want to help themselves can also visit citizensadvice.org.uk, where they can get basic advice on a range of issues.”