Debt in Scotland has become a new epidemic. It has claimed more and more individuals and households as the cost of living has risen dramatically and the value of incomes has declined in parallel. However, for many, options to tighten budgets in order to meet rising costs were already exercised long ago. There is nowhere left to go. What advice, support and assistance can be given to the rising number of people falling into debt that they cannot manage? Can their debt be reduced and stability restored to their living costs? Can our statutory debt management, debt relief and debt advice resources meet the volume of demand and the scale of need within that demand?
The Robertson Trust recently published research on Public Debt and Arrears in Scotland. It found more than 1 in 10 lowest-income and 1 in 100 highest-income households have council tax arrears. More than 50% of those behind on council tax are also cutting back on food to save money.
Households in all income brackets have faced relentless rises in energy costs, rent and mortgage rates and council tax. The statistics are chilling. 21% of adults are behind on one or more household bills. 1 in 9 are in energy arrears. 5% of adults are behind on their mortgage. 11% of adults have gone without heating, electricity, water or have skipped food due to costs. The position gets much worse lower down the income scale. 3 in 10 adults have had to use credit to pay for essentials such as food.
The Scottish Government has said it wants to take forward improvements in debt management solutions and it has moved to change some debt regulations. One change is additional protections for those managing debt under the Debt Arrangement Scheme, where increased living costs impact the ability to meet payments.
Set in this context, the ability to respond to debt and to manage it is crucial. Access to a joined-up system of debt management, relief and advice is essential if people are to somehow weather this economic storm. Do we have such a system? Is what is available sufficient to cope with these unprecedented levels of need? This conference assesses the drivers behind these debt levels. It discusses the systematic response required to support those in the most acute need and the role of front line debt advice in that response. Finally, it considers prevention, financial wellbeing, the link between mental health and financial stability and the practical support most valued by people in debt.
The programme examines the challenge we face in the growing breadth and depth of personal debt in families and households across Scotland. It discusses what action can be taken to reduce and prevent debt and promote financial stability and wellbeing. It focuses on three themes:
Topics to be discussed
Who should attend?
This conference is intended for all those working in the debt advice and management field and is intended for both organisations and individuals. It is relevant to public, private and third sector organisations advising those in debt, dealing with customers or consumers with debts or engaging with people in debt as part of a wider role. It is for debt advisor professionals (advising either debtors or creditors), those involved in legal processes relating to debt, rights advocates and counsellors, those shaping public policy and others directing individual organisational policy and practices. It is also relevant to those social policy and social service fields working with households and families dealing with debt in personal, housing, energy and other cost of living contexts.
Head of StepChange Debt Charity Scotland
National Director Scotland
Christians Against Poverty
Financial Wellbeing Manager
Money Advice Scotland
Sharon Bell
Head of StepChange Debt Charity Scotland
Sharon joined StepChange from the Scottish Government where she had previously served as Head of Policy at the Accountant in Bankruptcy from 2004 to 2012.
Emma Jackson
National Director Scotland
Christians Against Poverty
Emma is the Scotland Director for Christian’s Against Poverty (CAP) leading the work in Scotland of this UK wide debt and anti-poverty charity. This includes a network of 25 community based debt centres providing holistic advice and support for households on some of the lowest incomes in Scotland. Emma has worked for CAP for 7 years, previously working in senior leadership in disability and Higher Education. Emma speaks widely on the subject of debt, poverty and the inclusion of those with lived experience. Emma is also a contributor for BBC Radio Scotland’s Thought for the Day and a board member for the Poverty Alliance.
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