One in six North East adults struggle with debt worries

One in six adults in the North East are struggling to cope with debt problems.

New figures from the Money Advice Service found that 18 per cent of us are over-indebted, 2 per cent higher than the national average.

People aged 25-34 are most likely to be affected by debt, while single parents, renters and large families are also hit hard.

The worst area in our region is Middlesbrough - where the number of people in debt is four per cent higher than the UK average.

Isla Biggs, Manager of Durham Money Advice Centre, says their services are couple with double the amount of clients EVERY YEAR.

She said: "I'm increasingly seeing people who're struggling to pay their ordinary bills.

Council tax isn't any lower here than in other places, water rates they're any lower than in other places.

"Yet, the income can be lower, so there's less margin, less disposable income.

"It can be totally devastating and people have been known to commit suicide over debt issues and benefit problems.

"At the very least, it's very damaging to your mental health."

Caroline Siarkiewicz, Head of Debt Advice at the Money Advice Service said: "This research breaks new ground, providing us with the most up to date look at levels of problem debt across the UK.

"We estimate that 8.2 million UK adults suffer with financial worries - with younger adults, larger families and single parents noticeably at higher risk. "We are working with our delivery partners to ensure that debt advice is easy to access across the UK, especially in more vulnerable areas such as Wales and Northern Ireland - but for this to really have the greatest impact, we need to make sure those who need support are aware that this help is available. "We know that debt advice works but currently, only one in five people with financial difficulties seek advice.

"Today we are calling on everyone with problem debt or money worries, no matter how large or small, to access free advice as soon as possible."

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