Crewe families face debt crisis (From Crewe Guardian)

Crewe families face debt crisis

1:23pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in News By Katie Durose

CREWE families are racking up more debt than other area outside of London, a new survey has revealed.

The town has the highest level of personal debt than anywhere else outside the capital and the South East, with families owing on average £23,117.

The figures, from the Credit Consumer Counselling Service, show Crew households owe £16,000 more than the average British family.

This is higher than more expensive areas in the south including Tonbridge, Twickenham and Oxford.

The report suggests more people are facing difficulties with their mortgage resulting in spiralling levels of debt.

Jennie Briggs, customer service manager at Sandbach-based Debt Stop Direct, said people can no longer afford the cost of living.

She added: “We have been going for six years now and we have never been busier. We are constantly recruiting at the moment.

“I think the majority of people are finding the cost of living is increasing more than anything else, yet their pay isn’t.

“People who were on top of their finances two years ago now cannot afford the day-to-day costs because their wages haven’t changed.

“Obviously, in this area, redundancies have played a huge part too. You only have to look at Bombardier, that used to be a massive company that employed a lot of people round here but they have made so many redundancies in recent years.

“I think it will get much worse when interest rates go up, people are struggling now while the base rates are low.”

Debt Stop Direct offers free consultations and home visits for anyone worried about their debts.

Jennie added: “If you are worried about debts the important thing is just speaking to someone about it. People think they are in a situation that they can’t get out of but there is a way out - even if it’s just stopping the letters from coming through the door.”

To contact Debt Stop Direct call: 01270 527592.