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Motion · S6M-16893 · 20 Mar 2025

Scotland in the Red 2024 StepChange Scotland

Lodged by Richard Leonard Members' Business Motion 24 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament notes the publication of Scotland in the Red 2024, by the debt charity, StepChange Scotland; considers this a flagship report on personal debt, providing an insight on what life is like for people, in every local authority area, who are experiencing problem debt; understands that the average unsecured debt for a family with children has risen sharply to £18,953 and the average level of arrears has soared to £5,193, which, it believes, is an increase of 61% on 2023 levels; further understands that, after paying essential bills, the charity's clients claiming universal credit, including those in Central Scotland, are left with an average of just £6 per month for everything else; commends the work of StepChange Scotland, which supported over 40,000 clients in 2024 who owe a total of £343 million of debt and £21 million in arrears on their household bills; believes that it is Scotland’s largest debt charity, and acknowledges that it works towards a vision of a society free from problem debt.

Supporters (24)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.