Wirral Citizens Advice Bureau becomes second busiest in England and Wales

Sep 9 2009 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

Mike said: “Generally they have bigger debt and unemployment has become a major one for us.

“There has been a definite increase because people have got to try and find ways of maintaining a lifestyle.

“Very often we find people who have got into this position through no fault of their own, and all of a sudden they are facing a crisis they never expected in their lifetime.”

In the last financial year, the number of individuals seeking debt advice at Wirral CAB jumped by 21%, with benefit issues not far behind on 17%, while employment problems generated an additional 14% of enquiries and housing difficulties led to a 12% increase on the previous year’s figure.

Mike doesn’t see that letting up in the near future, despite the talk of ‘green shoots’ emerging in the economy.

He said: “The main advice to anybody would be to not stick your head in the sand.

“If you’ve got a problem get it out in the open.

“Sometimes it’s a pride thing but as soon as something is brought to the fore, the sooner we can deal with it and try and make it better.”

Visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk for more information.