Council pulls plug on payday-loan websites

OLDHAM Council is to block access to payday loans websites from all its computers to deter staff and residents from getting into debt.

Every computer in the local authority’s buildings — including staff offices, public libraries and community facilities — will have access to such websites denied.

The council will continue to promote Oldham Credit Union, a not-for-profit community-based business which is owned and run by local people and provides anyone who lives and works in the borough with access to fair financial services.

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, cabinet member for finance, said: “Payday-loan firms target the most vulnerable in our society and this action shows these companies they are not welcome in our borough.

“As local residents face rising fuel and food bills and cuts to benefits we are determined to support them through fair and ethical schemes like our local credit union. Oldham Credit Union offers an alternative to these exploitative firms, which provide excessive interest rates.”