Alyn Smith MP
Finances and Debt: Resources
Alyn Smith MP: Finance and Debt Resources
The cost of living crisis continues to have a substantial impact on personal finances across the whole of Scotland. Growing levels of debt have been widely reported and that is why it is important to know where you can go to seek advice.
Taking the first step towards getting debt help can be daunting and it can be difficult to know where to go for advice. This is what this factsheet intends to address.
Debt can have a serious impact on people’s lives. Unmanageable debt has been shown to be related to financial exclusion, family breakdown and poor physical and mental health.
People with debt problems should reach out to advice services as soon as possible. This is because these services can help mitigate the consequences of debt and are able to give advice on how best to deal with your circumstances.
Stirling has a number of options available to people who are worried about their financial situation or who have problems with debts. Here are a few of your options:
Stirling Council
Stirling Council has an independent in-house Advice and Welfare Reform Team providing accredited money, debt and benefits advice.
Money Advice Scotland
Money Advice Scotland is Scotland’s money charity. They exist to help people in debt. Their mission is to be the driving force towards financial wellbeing for the people of Scotland. Debt can happen to anyone and through their web chat service, advisers can help answer any initial questions and direct you to free, regulated and impartial debt advice.
Step Change
Step change is a UK wide charity that gives free debt advice, and debt solutions online and over the phone across Scotland and the UK. They will tell you about all the debt solutions which are available to you and support you to access these solutions.
Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau
The local Stirling branch of Citizens Advice Scotland, this organisation helps local people on a whole range of issues, including on debt and financial matters.
Scottish Government
They have set up a dedicated hub for resources and support relating to the cost of living crisis.