Debt problems and benefit issues cause more to seek help

Debt problems and new benefits issues are causing people to turn to the Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) in record numbers.

The Citizens Advice Bureaux are now dealing with some 9,300 new debt problems every working day.

In the 3 months to end June 09, enquiries around debt problems went up 27% and those on benefits issues went up 22%.

Compared with last year, mortgage arrears enquiries rose 44%, fuel debts enquiries are up 54%, redundancy-related problems up 74% and enquiries about job seekers allowance have doubled.

If you are facing debt problems, as well as turning to the CAB, there are professional debt management companies who can help you with debt management advice.

The CAB is celebrating its 70th birthday and as Chief Executive David Harker comments ‘From rationing to recession, the CAB has been there for people in times of crisis throughout all the past 70 years.

Dipping into the decades of our history shows that some of the problems people have may have changed but the need for our service certainly has not.’

The CAB potted history of problem solving shows

• The war years – tracing missing people, evacuation, war damage and rationing
• The post war period – family problems, housing conditions and the welfare state
• The 1950s – housing, HP and holidays with pay
• The 1960s – divorce, national assistance and housing
• The 1970s – consumer boom, family problems and housing
• The 1980s – debt, social security and employment
• The 1990s – benefits, flexible working and repossession
• 2000 to now – debt, debt and debt