Take debt advice, minister urges

Ian McCartney, consumer minister, wants to see more people made aware of debt advice and to see less people fall victim to the unscrupulous lending practices of loan sharks.

Mr McCartney made his comments ahead of the opening of a new London office of the Money Advice Trust (MAT), which was set up with the specific aim of offering free debt management assistance.

“Often it feels like there is no alternative than to turn to loan sharks but many people don’t realise that debt advice and information is available,” said Mr McCartney.

“My advice to people struggling with debt is to pick up the phone – there are people who can help you find a solution and avoid the sharks,” he added.

The MAT was found as a charity in 1991 and works in collaboration with many of the 2,800 or so Citizens Advice bureaux across the UK.