Debt problems on the increase (From Somerset County Gazette)

Debt problems on the increase

6:35pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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PERSONAL debt in Taunton and Wellington is rising dramatically according to the Citizens Advice Bureau.

In the first half of this year, staff at the bureau's Station Road office in Taunton have dealt with an increasing tide of people suffering the effects of increasing prices and static wages.

"It's horrendous," said Liz Fothergill, the bureau manager. "The debt is not just in one area but a whole cross section.

"There have been clear increases in repossessions, bankruptcies, bailiff activity and debt generally."

In the three months to the end of June, debt has risen by 48% compared with the same quarter last year.

Repossessions are up from four to ten while bankruptcies average five a week.

The figures come alongside findings in the annual report of the Commission for Rural Communities which says poverty increasing in both urban and rural areas.

The report says: "Over the last two years for which data are available the percentage of population under the poverty line rose 3% in rural areas compared to 1% in urban areas.

A spokesperson for Taunton Deane Coun-cil said they had received 97.94% of last year's council tax payments by June 30 and expect that figure to eventually rise to more than 99% as has been the case in previous years.

But that still leaves several hundred of the 47,500 households in the borough struggling to pay the tax.

And the council's contractors for debt collection, Ross and Roberts of Somerton, have up to five bailiffs working full-time in Taunton alone.

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