Free Expert Help Available

Local Stirling MP Alyn Smith has backed a campaign from Citizens Advice Scotland, aimed at offering free, expert advice relating to debt through the Citizens Advice Network.

The ‘Stressed About Debt’ campaign aims to reassure people that debt is nothing to be ashamed of, as new figures indicate over 660,000 people across the UK have seen their mental health and wellbeing impacted by debt.

Anyone affected by debt can head to www.cas.org.uk/stressed and select an advice route that works for them. Options available include online self-help tools, advice pages or one-to-one advice from their local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Stirling MP Alyn Smith said:

‘The work undertaken locally by the Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau, and Citizens Advice Scotland nationally, is beyond measure for the communities of Stirling. Debt worries, especially during the cost of living crisis, can have an enormous impact on mental health. I’m glad to see CAB deploy their vast knowledge and support network to help people through extraordinarily difficult times.

‘I’m very concerned to read the CAB Cost-of-Living Analysis for Quarter 3 of 2023/24., showing a huge rise of 41% in those seeking advice on food insecurity. Single parent families are twice as likely to be seeking advice on utilities, food insecurity and crisis grants – and enquiries on advice around homelessness, rent debts, mortgages and energy are up 258% year-on-year.’

‘My thanks go to the entire CAB team, both locally and nationally, for the work they do. My office too stands ready to assist anyone in Stirling who are facing difficulties in this cost of living crisis. To get in touch, please visit www.alynsmith.scot/contact’