Elderly offered debt advice

Hundreds of elderly people living in the north-east of England have been offered a debt advice service through Help the Aged and Barclays.

Over the course of the past 12 months, pension-age residents of Newcastle have been able to speak to a number of expert advisors about their debt management problems.

It is estimated that visitors to the Caring Hands centre in Newcastle have been given assistance in dealing with debts worth a collective total of around £350,000.

“The project has made a great start and we’re determined to fully utilise the expertise and the skills of our employees, in partnership with the knowledge and experience of Help the Aged, to continue this success into its second year,” said Janette Blythe from Barclays.

A report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation recently suggested that a typical elderly couple needs around £200 per week to live in relative comfort in the UK.

By Frank Charlton