Heat or eat choice for Caithness residents
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SOME Caithness residents are facing a heat-or-eat dilemma as the number of people struggling with debt soars.
According to the county’s Citizens Advice Bureau, there are considerably more householders experiencing financial difficulty than last year.
And the charity has issued a gloomy forecast, predicting the problem is about to get even worse.
Figures released from CAB show the organisation has dealt with almost £1.3 million in local debt this year.
Offices in Wick and Thurso have received queries from 966 people compared to 553 last year – an increase of 74 per cent.
The charity has also revealed the average amount of debt clients in the area have is £10,750.
Caithness manager Jill Smith said the local debt situation is the worst it had ever been.
And, with winter approaching and heavy snow likely, she believes the debt level could rise.
“Our debt advice service has dealt with £1,258,000 worth of debt this year,” she said. “We have so far managed to write off £722,000 in 2011, but the figure is still very high.
“The main cause for debt is that the normal expenses such as food, fuel and energy bills have all gone up in price.
“Yet people’s incomes have remained the same or have declined with the economic situation resulting in jobs being lost. This has resulted in people being unable to pay for essential expenses.
“There has also been no increase in benefits which means more and more people are struggling by the day.”
She added: “It is going to get much worse as the winter season approaches. Fuel prices are expected to rise by up to 30 per cent and our clients are struggling now to cope with daily expenditure.
“When it comes to the crunch, they will have to make the decision of heating their homes or eating dinner. That is how serious the situation is and something which we are becoming increasingly concerned about.
“The real impact will come when the bad weather reaches the Far North.”
In an attempt to help solve the debt issue, the Scottish Government has set up a project called the Money Advice Service.
Available at CAB’s Thurso and Wick offices, it has been launched to help educate people on how to manage their money better.
The service provides advice to ensure people do not get into crisis situations by enabling them to make the right financial decisions before that point is reached.
Mrs Smith said the CAB offices in Caithness are among the few in the country to offer this service.
She urged anyone with financial worries to get in touch.
“The service looks at increasing people’s income and reducing outgoings by giving assistance in budgeting to help them to make their money go further.
“It is independent and impartial, and there to help and assist people through a difficult time of their lives.
“Anyone who needs advice regarding what to do or where to go for financial products or services can come to us and we will explain it in simple terms and point them in the right direction.
“It doesn’t matter if you are facing financial problems or just have worries – we invite everyone to come along and have a free financial health check.”
To make an appointment for the Money Advice Service contact Caithness Citizens Advice Bureau on 01955 605989 or 01847 894243.
'I was so worried I decided to end my life'
A CAITHNESS man’s debt problems were so serious he contemplated suicide until he sought help through the local Citizens Advice Bureau service.
The gentleman, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the Money Advice Service offered at the organisation’s Thurso and Wick offices saved his life.
He said after getting himself into thousands of pounds of debt, he couldn’t see a way out except by taking his own life.
“I found myself getting into serious debt, with no way of paying the bills,” he said.
“I convinced myself that I was about to lose my home and possessions to my creditors. The thought of losing my home was unbearable and I was so worried I decided the best thing to do would be to end my life.
“I then remembered the words of a dear late friend who had been an adviser within CAB and had always told me that when in any trouble you could always rely on their help. As I had nobody to turn to, I decided that I would seek help from the CAB.”
After meeting a debt adviser, he received assistance to address his money problems.
She managed to arrange solutions which prevented the man’s home being taken from him and gave him advice about phone calls and letters from creditors. Thanks to the service, he is on his way to getting his life back to normal.
“Since the first meeting she has been more than an adviser, she has been a friend,” he said. “With her payment plans accepted by my creditors I can stop worrying.
“I know that my money problems are not over yet and I may have to call on the services of the CAB again. But they saved my life as I was at a real point of distress. Thanks to the CAB, I am getting my confidence back and I now see that I have a future.”
Help is on offer to those experiencing despair, distress or suicidal feelings through the Samaritans – telephone 08457 90 90 90; e-mail jo@samaritans.org, or write to Chris, PO Box 90 90, Stirling FK8 2SA. The service also operates locally from Riverside Place in Thurso.
