Motion · S5M-16913 · 11 Apr 2019
Personal Debt in Scotland
The motion
That the Parliament notes the recent publication of StepChange’s annual analysis of personal debt, Scotland in the Red, which shows that the charity’s clients had an average of £11,754 in unsecured debt in 2018; understands that over 60% of its 30,000 clients are in debt due to circumstances outwith their control, such as ill health, wage reductions, welfare payment changes or unemployment; further understands that council tax arrears, up from 36% to 46% between 2014 and 2018, are of particular concern to the charity due to the considerable increase in the number of clients affected; agrees with StepChange that local authorities in Scotland need to work with the advice sector to address the current council tax arrears dilemma, and further agrees with StepChange that earlier signposting to free debt advice is urgently required to help tackle personal debt at the earliest opportunity.
Supporters (11)
- James Dornan 11 Apr 2019
- Dr Alasdair Allan 12 Apr 2019
- Jenny Gilruth Scottish National Party 12 Apr 2019
- Bill Kidd 12 Apr 2019
- Mark McDonald 12 Apr 2019
- Stuart McMillan Scottish National Party 12 Apr 2019
- Colin Smyth 12 Apr 2019
- Sandra White 15 Apr 2019
- Pauline McNeill Scottish Labour 16 Apr 2019
- Neil Findlay 18 Apr 2019
- Clare Adamson Scottish National Party 2 May 2019
Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.