Rising numbers seek debt advice

A SOARING number of Oldhamers are contacting debt counselling helplines as the recession bites.

National charity the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) says the number of its clients in Oldham able to repay their debts has plummeted to worryingly low levels.

CCCS also reports a sharp rise in Oldhamers seeking help for the fourth successive year.

Figures show that only 234 of Oldhamers debt counselled last year had enough spare income to begin a repayment plan.

A total of 986 people from Oldham called the CCCS helpline last year compared with 661 in 2006.

CCCS is urging anyone in Oldham worried about their debt or who is struggling to cover the cost of day-to-day expenses to seek free advice and support. The charity is worried that vulnerable people may use fee-charging advice companies in an attempt to solve their problem which it says will only exacerbate the problem.

Delroy Corinaldi, CCCS external affairs director, said: “The picture is undoubtedly bleak. I am very concerned about the personal debt situation in Oldham. Not only are there more people from Oldham contacting us for help with their debts but those who do are in an increasingly worse situation.

“I would urge anyone in Oldham struggling to repay debts to seek help from a charity such as CCCS who can provide free advice.”

The CCCS helpline (0800-138 1111) is open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday and CCCS Debt Remedy is available at www.cccs.co.uk.