Uttlesford charity witnessing spike in debt help calls

WITH calls for debt advice skyrocketing in the past year, Uttlesford’s Citizens’ Advice Bureau has appointed a highly-qualified and experienced debt specialist to help deal with the influx of requests.

In the past year, the welfare charity has seen a 21 per cent increase in calls related to threatened homelessness in the area, a 38 per cent rise in the number of enquiries about being behind on social housing rent payments and 14 per cent more calls to do with struggling to pay Council Tax.

Highly qualified Caroline Halfacre has joined the debt team in place of Paul Fuller, who has retired after 10 years, and she will look to address the flood of enquiries.

A spokeswoman for Uttlesford CAB, which has offices and outreaches in Saffron Walden, Great Dunmow and Thaxted, said: “The rise in debt relating to affordable housing seems linked to the current pressure on the rental sector in this area, whereas the reduction in non-priority debt shows that people have no money to spend on extras and are clearly not spending it.

“The repercussions for the wider economy do not need to be spelled out.”

For help and advice, contact the National Debt Line on 0808 808 4000, Consumer Credit Counselling Service on 0800 138 1111, or CAB on 0844 477 5986 or uttlesford cab.org.uk.