Norfolk Citizens Advice warns cost of living crisis is increasing number of those in debt
They are warning that more and more local people are struggling to keep up with mortgage and card payments
Last updated 13th Jun 2022
Norfolk Citizens advice are warning that more and more local people are getting into debt- due to the rising cost of living.
With the charity warning that soaring prices of basic goods are now starting to effect 'middle income earners' ability to meet their mortgage and regular card payments.
They calling on the Government to put in long-term plans to tackle the domestic crisis, after the Chancellor introduced support measures at the end of last month worth ÂŁ21 billion.
"The cost of living is starting to bite across a wider group in society"
Mark Hitchcock is the group's chief executive.
He told the current picture is really worrying and everyone is being affected:
"We have a crazy set of statistics that we could throw into conversations, but they don't really tell the story. We unfortunately see upsetting stories on a regular basis, people are failing to be able to cook the food that they are getting from food banks and that they are failing to support their children with the very basic aspects of life. From cleaning clothes to preparing children to be able to go to school in the right way".
"The sort of people that probably haven't come to us for advice in the past, are coming to us now. Those people who are struggling to meet their mortgage payments or whether it's those payments are in credit card and cars, is evidence that the cost of living is starting to bite across a wider group in society than we previously would have spoken to".
"They are one-off payments in many cases, fairly knee-jerk responses"
Mr Hitchcock went on to say that they can help those struggling, but long-term plans and solutions are needed, now:
"There are ways to get certain type debt written off. We can help people do that, and we've seen tens of thousands of pounds in debt written off in the last couple of months. More regularly, we help people to manage their debts and restructure it and to get repayments set up in regular way so that they aren't being thrown into really bad-levels of deprivation".
"Those Government payments do total a fair bit of funding in individual cases and they will make a difference. But they are one-off payments in many cases, fairly knee-jerk responses to a situation that's been in place for a very long time. The increases to fuel and other knock-on rises are going to still be there at the end of the 12 month period, when those payments run out".