Only days after the Government’s belt-tightening budget, a debt advice company has been flooded with pleas for help.

And at the same time, debt counselling charity Christians Against Poverty, which has its headquarters in Bradford, is urging people to get in control of their cash to cope with the changes.

The Debt Advisory Line at Cross Hills, near Skipton, says it has received a record number of calls from people seeking advice.

“Some have been telephoning in tears, worried about how they will manage their level of debt,” said Martin Chapman, the company’s head of marketing and business development.

“There is definitely more pressure on people’s income following the budget which could tip people over the edge.

“People are concerned about changes to benefits and how this will affect the money in their pockets.”

They were fearful of the impact of the VAT hike, the freeze on child benefits and restriction on housing benefits would have on their lives, said Mr Chapman.

He said: “Many simply don’t have the disposable income for this kind of change and even small changes can have a devastating effect on family finances.

“They are being approached by creditors asking them how they will pay and they don’t know how to answer.”

Demand for help is so high the company has been getting between 15 and 20 per cent more calls.

Within the next 12 months it expects to have to double the workforce at its Cross Hills base, where they employ 150 people.

Matt Barlow, chief executive of Christians Against Poverty, based in Jubilee Mill, said: “Our best advice is to take the stress out of the situation and do your own budget. “We provide free courses called CAP Money to learn how to do this and once you know what is coming in and what is going out, it is easier to weather the storm.”

The organisation is helping 400 new families suffering every month by visiting them in their own homes.