Make Promoting Free Debt Advice a Priority says Ed Goncalves

Ed Goncalves, Rugby's Lib Dem candidate, is backing calls by the Money Advice Trust to make promoting free debt advice a priority. The Trust - which runs National Debtline and Business Debtline - says it has received more than 400 calls for help from people with debt problems in the Rugby constituency since 2013, and a further 43 calls from the self-employed and other small business owners.

Ed said, "Only a small proportion of people with unmanageable debt seek advice, so the actual number of people struggling in Rugby is likely to be far higher. MPs can help by being much more proactive in pointing people in the direction of free help and advice that is available. It is ironic that people in greatest difficulty often have access only to the most expensive credit. We should be looking to promote low-cost solutions to help people out of debt. There also needs to be action against some of the more aggressive lenders and debt recovery agencies. Children often find themselves in the line of fire in these situations."