OVER 1,000 people in Denbighshire needed debt advice last year.
Denbighshire Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) has published it’s ‘Debt Survey 2012’, which shows it helped 1338 people with their debt problems in 2011/12, an increase of 26 per cent on the previous year.
Paul Roberts, money advice manager at the CAB, says residents in the county are in need of debt advice now more than ever, following a Christmas fuelled by debt for many and job losses for others.
“The survey should be viewed in the context of the prevailing economic backdrop in
Denbighshire,” he said.
“Denbighshire is ranked the fourth highest local authority in the UK for Debt Relief Orders approved.
“Denbighshire is ranked eighth highest local authority in the UK for total individual insolvency (bankruptcy, debt relief orders and individual voluntary arrangements).”
He added: “Three Denbighshire local authority wards in Rhyl are ranked in the top 12 most deprived wards in Wales as detailed in the Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation 2011.”
The county’s CAB office carried out the survey by speaking to former debt clients for their opinions on the service they had received.
“Whilst the figures appear alarming on the face of it, it does demonstrate the level of debt in the county and the work carried out by Denbighshire CAB in helping the over indebted individuals in the community to resolve their debt problems thereby lessening the impact that being in unmanageable debt has on family relationships, employment and health,” said Mr Roberts.
The report says: “One of the hidden impacts of being in debt is the negative effect on individuals’ health and their family relationships. Debt is often a catalyst for relationship break down, domestic abuse, mental health problems, homelessness and suicide.”
Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane said: “I would like to congratulate Denbighshire CAB for producing such a detailed, useful report which highlights a number of issues.”
The report can be downloaded at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/denbighshirecab.htm