Money and debt advice from new partnership

Families struggling to balance their budgets can get help from a new partnership between Bury Council and StepChange Debt Charity.

The new initiative comes in the wake of new figures from the charity showing a dramatic rise in the number of people in the Manchester area seeking help for debt problems. Last year, 3,582 Manchester residents contacted the charity’s helpline, an increase of 50% from the 2,384 in 2012.

Councillor John Smith, cabinet member for finance and corporate affairs, said: “We know that residents are finding it tough to balance their budgets, as the cost of living rises, wages are stagnant and benefits are cut. It means that increasing numbers of people are sliding into debt, and turning to pay day loan companies. We need to do all we can to help people.”

And Michelle Delaney, corporate debt manager at Bury Council, added: “We want to ensure that people have access to free, independent debt advice and budgeting skills, affordable lending facilities, and employment opportunities and support into work. Our partnership with StepChange Debt Charity will see us be the first council nationally to adopt a ‘whole borough’ approach. This will ensure that clear, consistent advice and information is available at all local touch points across the council, and that a clear referral route is in place at the first point of contact.”

StepChange is urging to people to recognise that they may have a debt problem if they are doing any of the following: juggling or falling behind on essential household bills; borrowing to make it through to pay day; only making minimum repayments; borrowing more to pay off existing debts; getting hit by late payments or overdraft charges.

Frances Walker of StepChange Debt Charity said: “We know the terrible impact that debt can have on people’s lives. Working with local authorities means that we can reach more people who need debt advice and help them to get back on their financial feet as soon as possible.”

The charity offers people help to put together an accurate household budget, check their benefits entitlement, look at ways of cutting expenditure, and save money.

For more details of StepChange and the help they can offer, go to http://www.stepchange.org/ or call their helpline for free on 0800 138 1111 and speak with one of their debt advisors, using free phones in the public reception areas in Bury Town Hall and at Whittaker Street in Radcliffe.

ENDS

Press release issued: 18 February 2014.

Picture attached: Launching the partnership between Bury Council and StepChange Debt Charity are (from left) Michelle Delaney, the council’s corporate debt manager; Cllr Mike Connolly, leader of the council; Caroline Hamilton, relationship manager at StepChange; and Cllr John Smith, cabinet member for finance and corporate affairs.

Notes to editors:

1. StepChange Debt Charity’s ethos is to help the “can’t pays”, not the “won’t pays”, and does not condone debt avoidance. StepChange Debt Charity always aims to help its clients pay back what they owe, in a realistic timescale and manner that is suited to each individual’s situation.
2. StepChange Debt Charity is self-funding. Lenders share with the charity the benefit they receive from its operation, making a donation from the money repaid to them. This allows StepChange Debt Charity to retain its independence and ensure that its advice is always in the best interest of the client.
3. The StepChange Debt Charity free phone helpline 0800 138 1111 is open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 4pm Saturday.
4. Online help is available any time from StepChange Debt Charity Debt Remedy at http://www.stepchange.org/
5. Follow StepChange Debt Charity on Twitter: @StepChange and @Moneyaware