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New free guide to help people across Scotland deal with debt

National Debtline has today launched a free guide to help people across Scotland deal with problem..

Posted January 25, 2021

National Debtline has today launched a free guide to help people across Scotland deal with problem debt.  The ‘How to deal with debt’ guide takes people in debt through the steps they need to take to deal with their financial situation – including dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on personal finances.

The guide was funded by the Scottish Government and has been developed by the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline, after comprehensive user-testing with people in debt and feedback from advice agencies in Scotland. 

The guide is available free to order for both advice agencies and anyone in debt in Scotland. It is designed to be usable on its own, providing the steps individuals in debt needs to take, and can also be used as part of existing money advice processes with the aim of putting the person using the guide in the best position to deal with their debts.

‘How to deal with debt’ is broken down into three clear steps and uses behavioural science techniques such as ‘chunking’, breaking information into smaller, more manageable individual tasks, to make the overall goal feel more achievable. Throughout the guide is the understanding that being in debt is often a difficult situation, and the recognition that people may be experiencing a range of emotions.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said:

“This is a difficult time for us all. We know that there are many families in Scotland who will be impacted financially because of COVID-19. It can be hard to find the time to manage our money, and it can be a stressful subject. Now it is more important than ever that help and advice is available to those struggling with problem debt.”

“I am pleased the Scottish Government has been able to support the Money Advice Trust to produce the ‘How to deal with debt’ guide for those who need support. It is vital that people who are experiencing problem debt have access to free and independent guidance to begin to address their financial issues.”

Joanna Elson CBE, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline, said:

“We hope that our new ‘How to deal with debt’ guide will play a key role in helping people across Scotland to deal with problem debt – at time a when the Covid-19 outbreak is having a significant impact on personal finances.

“Struggling with debt is an extremely difficult experience – and it is so important that anyone in this situation knows that help is available. I would urge anyone concerned about their debts to seek free, independent advice from a debt charity such as National Debtline as early as possible.”

The ‘How to deal with your debt’ guide is available here and can be ordered in bulk by money advice agencies here.

National Debtline offers free advice by phone and online – for more information

visit www.nationaldebtline.org/scotland or on 0808 808 4000.​





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