Charities urge Government to help problem debt families
Campaigners say measures can be introduced in the Budget that will help protect children and will not cost taxpayers a penny.
Monday 6 March 2017 10:22, UK
In the week of the Budget, the Government is being urged to help thousands of UK families whose lives are blighted by financial debt.
The Children's Society says it can be achieved with a series of measures that will not cost the Exchequer a single penny.
The charity, which believes all children deserve a good childhood, wants families who fall in to "problem debt" to be given legal protection, including a 12-month breathing space, free from interest payments and debt collectors.
This would, it claims, give those who are struggling with debts and overdue bills time to get back to some measure of solvency.
Richard Crellin, from the Children's Society, told Sky News: "This is something the Chancellor could do on Wednesday and there would be no real additional cost to the Government."
One of those who would stand to benefit from the initiative is single mother-of-two Katheryn Wilson, from Ware in Hertfordshire, who went into the red through no fault of her own.
She told Sky News about her day-to-day life, saying: "It's a bit like a dark tunnel with no light at the end of it because I just don't know how I am ever going to increase my income to a point where I can pay off all of my debts and live comfortably without any worry."
The Children's Society has commissioned a poll of more than two 2,000 families in England and Wales which suggests that 620,000 UK families are spending more on overdue bills than they are on food.
Also, 46% of UK families who have sudden, unexpected expenditure have to borrow money to make ends meet.
Moreover, 38% of UK families will have to borrow to pay for everyday essentials if their costs of living increase.
This is at a time when prices are rising faster than inflation.
Other charities are doing what they can to help.
Mike O'Connor, from debt charity Step-Change, told Sky News: "You should never be in a situation whereby if you're in debt you're making your health suffer or you're not feeding your kids properly.
"Last year, 600,000 came to (us) for our help and the average debt we saw was £14,000. These people need support to get back on their feet."