Latest news with #DebtArrangementScheme
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow housing association secured over £500k for tenants
Ardenglen Housing Association's in-house financial inclusion team has helped 341 households in Castlemilk access unclaimed benefits, delivering an average income boost of £1,524 per home. Suzanne Casey, director of customer services at Ardenglen, said: "The additional resource of the financial inclusion officer, along with two funded posts, has been instrumental in supporting our customers through the cost of living crisis. "The financial gains achieved and the positive feedback received from customers speak for themselves." Read more: Scotland's hidden debt crisis 'leaving people isolated and afraid' The service was previously delivered in partnership with Money Matters, but rising demand during the cost of living crisis led Ardenglen to expand the team and take the service in-house last year. Its current team includes a full-time financial inclusion officer, a part-time energy advisor, and a full-time financial and digital inclusion worker. Ardenglen manages around 1,000 homes in the south Glasgow estate. In addition to helping tenants access benefits, the team supported 26 individuals to engage with the Debt Arrangement Scheme, helping them manage arrears and protect their assets. Read more: Met the Glasgow teacher preparing to trek 50km along Great Wall of China Ardenglen also launched a partnership with The Furnishing Service to provide vulnerable and new tenants with essential white goods. The scheme aims to reduce the risk of tenancy failure and support those in crisis. Energy advice has been another key area of support, with 274 tenants receiving help to manage bills, avoid disconnection, and resolve complaints. Suzanne said: "With energy prices continuing to take a significant chunk of household income, we were delighted to be able to increase the level of support we can offer local people to help them keep bills down."
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Poorest areas in West Lothian being hit hardest by cost of living crisis as debts rise
Long-standing debts in Armadale in Blackridge topped more than £700,000 last year, the council's Anti-Poverty Service has reported. The cost of living crisis is hitting West Lothian's poorest area hard, new figures have shown. Long-standing debts in Armadale in Blackridge topped more than £700,000 last year, the council's Anti-Poverty Service has reported. Of the 14,000 customers helped across West Lothian in the last year 1,380, around 10%, came from the Armadale ward. Council data shows that 22% of families with children are living in poverty in the ward. Chair of the local area committee, and Armadale native, Independent Councillor Andrew McGuire told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the figures revealed the trend of in-work poverty. And the latest figures show the brutal impact of rising costs is being felt across the county. The number of people in work and having to claim Universal Credit across the county has risen by almost 200% since the months before Covid hit. Last year APS issued more than 700 vouchers to the families in the Armadale ward in the most dire circumstances - 390 emergency food vouchers and 328 fuel vouchers for households at risk of disconnection. West Lothian has 22 data zones in the most deprived in Scotland and a fifth - 20% - of the West Lothian population experience some form of financial hardship. Some 5% of people in the county are living in extreme poverty. The percentage of local children living in poverty is above the national average at 24.6% - but APS staff have stressed that numbers may actually be higher. Households in Armadale in Blackridge have faced the cost of living crisis with many sandbagged by longstanding debts topping more than £700,000 in the one council ward alone. In a report to West Lothian Council's Armadale and Blackridge Local Area Committee a spokesperson for the APS said the Advice shop staff offered support to deal with £735, 870 of problem household debt in the last year from households in the Armadale and Blackridge ward. Advice from staff helped overall in reducing debt repayments of £330,834. And across West Lothian the service's debt advisors have dealt with more than £6m worth of debts in more than 600 cases. More homeowners have been accessing debt support due to high levels of consumer debt. The service recently supported a couple who worked full time and are homeowners. They had recently come out of a fixed mortgage deal and their mortgage payments had increased by around £200 per month which further impacted on their ability to repay their consumer debts. This led to them taking out further credit just to pay their ongoing bills such as food, shopping. A spokesperson for the APS said: 'All debt options were discussed and the priority for the couple was to safeguard their home at all costs. ' One of the options discussed was the Debt Arrangement Scheme which lets you pay off your debts at an affordable rate whilst also providing protection from creditors. This scheme is run by a part of the Scottish Government. ' We helped them to work out an affordable Debt Payment Programme which would likely be accepted by creditors. 'The Debt Payment Programme was approved meaning that our clients could now afford their new mortgage payments together with an affordable payment towards their creditors by reducing their debt repayments from £2300 per month to £400 per month.' APS advisers also helped households in the Armadale ward gain almost £2m extra in maximising income from social security benefits in the last year, as well as securing energy savings of £70,805 from access to financial support and advice. Service staff and now looking at ways of refining the household data they already have to identify pockets of poverty that can be found even in apparently affluent towns and villages in the county. Other county wide statistics offer little reassurance in the current climate. While West Lothian bucks the trend for levels of unemployment in Scotland, 3,325 people in West Lothian are receiving Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit and are searching for work. The most noticeable worrying trend of recent years - even pre Covid- is the growing number of people who are in work but struggling to live on poor wages - a problem made worse with growing inflation post- pandemic. There has been a 171% increase in the number of Universal Credit claimants actually in work since January 2020. That equates to 7,253 people. Councillor Andrew McGuire said: ''Sadly life is becoming harder for many constituents and money is not going as far as it once did. 'As with other places in Scotland there is an increasing trend towards people who are working and living in poverty. 'Given this I am very pleased to see the continued support the council's anti-poverty service has provided to people in Armadale and Blackridge over the last year. 'I would encourage anyone who is concerned about their income or household bills to make an appointment with the advice shop to see what help and support they can be given ' A spokesperson for the APS said: 'The Advice Shop can help with looking at options to maximise income and reduce outgoings/debts. You can contact the Advice Shop on 01506283000 or email
Edinburgh Reporter
20-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian households sandbagged by debts
The cost-of-living crisis is hitting West Lothian's poorest area hard, new figures have shown. Long-standing debts in Armadale in Blackridge topped more than £700,000 last year, the council's Anti-Poverty Service has reported. Of the 14,000 customers helped across West Lothian in the last year 1,380, around 10%, came from the Armadale ward. Council data shows that 22% of families with children are living in poverty in the ward. Chair of the local area committee, and Armadale native, Independent Councillor Andrew McGuire told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the figures revealed the trend of in-work poverty. And the latest figures show the brutal impact of rising costs is being felt across the county. The number of people in work and having to claim Universal Credit across the county has risen by almost 200% since the months before Covid hit. Last year APS issued more than 700 vouchers to the families in the Armadale ward in the most dire circumstances – 390 emergency food vouchers and 328 fuel vouchers for households at risk of disconnection. West Lothian has 22 data zones in the most deprived in Scotland and a fifth – 20% – of the West Lothian population experience some form of financial hardship. Some 5% of people in the county are living in extreme poverty. The percentage of local children living in poverty is above the national average at 24.6% – but APS staff have stressed that numbers may actually be higher. Households in Armadale in Blackridge have faced the cost-of-living crisis with many sandbagged by longstanding debts topping more than £700,000 in the one council ward alone. In a report to West Lothian Council's Armadale and Blackridge Local Area Committee a spokesperson for the APS said the Advice shop staff offered support to deal with £735, 870 of problem household debt in the last year from households in the Armadale and Blackridge ward. Advice from staff helped overall in reducing debt repayments of £330,834. And across West Lothian the service's debt advisors have dealt with more than £6m worth of debts in more than 600 cases. More homeowners have been accessing debt support due to high levels of consumer debt. The service recently supported a couple who worked full time and are homeowners. They had recently come out of a fixed mortgage deal and their mortgage payments had increased by around £200 per month which further impacted on their ability to repay their consumer debts. This led to them taking out further credit just to pay their ongoing bills such as food, shopping. A spokesperson for the APS said: 'All debt options were discussed and the priority for the couple was to safeguard their home at all costs. 'One of the options discussed was the Debt Arrangement Scheme which lets you pay off your debts at an affordable rate whilst also providing protection from creditors. This scheme is run by a part of the Scottish Government. 'We helped them to work out an affordable Debt Payment Programme which would likely be accepted by creditors. 'The Debt Payment Programme was approved meaning that our clients could now afford their new mortgage payments together with an affordable payment towards their creditors by reducing their debt repayments from £2300 per month to £400 per month.' APS advisers also helped households in the Armadale ward gain almost £2m extra in maximising income from social security benefits in the last year, as well as securing energy savings of £70,805 from access to financial support and advice. Service staff and now looking at ways of refining the household data they already have to identify pockets of poverty that can be found even in apparently affluent towns and villages in the county. Other county wide statistics offer little reassurance in the current climate. While West Lothian bucks the trend for levels of unemployment in Scotland, 3,325 people in West Lothian are receiving Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit and are searching for work. The most noticeable worrying trend of recent years – even pre Covid- is the growing number of people who are in work but struggling to live on poor wages – a problem made worse with growing inflation post- pandemic. There has been a 171% increase in the number of Universal Credit claimants actually in work since January 2020. That equates to 7,253 people. Councillor Andrew McGuire said: ''Sadly life is becoming harder for many constituents and money is not going as far as it once did. 'As with other places in Scotland there is an increasing trend towards people who are working and living in poverty. 'Given this I am very pleased to see the continued support the council's anti-poverty service has provided to people in Armadale and Blackridge over the last year. 'I would encourage anyone who is concerned about their income or household bills to make an appointment with the advice shop to see what help and support they can be given ' A spokesperson for the APS said: 'The Advice Shop can help with looking at options to maximise income and reduce outgoings/debts. You can contact the Advice Shop on 01506283000 or email [email protected] By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
20-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Poorest areas in West Lothian being hit hardest by cost of living crisis as debts rise
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The cost of living crisis is hitting West Lothian's poorest area hard, new figures have shown. Long-standing debts in Armadale in Blackridge topped more than £700,000 last year, the council's Anti-Poverty Service has reported. Of the 14,000 customers helped across West Lothian in the last year 1,380, around 10%, came from the Armadale ward. Council data shows that 22% of families with children are living in poverty in the ward. Chair of the local area committee, and Armadale native, Independent Councillor Andrew McGuire told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the figures revealed the trend of in-work poverty. And the latest figures show the brutal impact of rising costs is being felt across the county. The number of people in work and having to claim Universal Credit across the county has risen by almost 200% since the months before Covid hit. Last year APS issued more than 700 vouchers to the families in the Armadale ward in the most dire circumstances - 390 emergency food vouchers and 328 fuel vouchers for households at risk of disconnection. West Lothian has 22 data zones in the most deprived in Scotland and a fifth - 20% - of the West Lothian population experience some form of financial hardship. Some 5% of people in the county are living in extreme poverty. The percentage of local children living in poverty is above the national average at 24.6% - but APS staff have stressed that numbers may actually be higher. Households in Armadale in Blackridge have faced the cost of living crisis with many sandbagged by longstanding debts topping more than £700,000 in the one council ward alone. In a report to West Lothian Council's Armadale and Blackridge Local Area Committee a spokesperson for the APS said the Advice shop staff offered support to deal with £735, 870 of problem household debt in the last year from households in the Armadale and Blackridge ward. Advice from staff helped overall in reducing debt repayments of £330,834. And across West Lothian the service's debt advisors have dealt with more than £6m worth of debts in more than 600 cases. More homeowners have been accessing debt support due to high levels of consumer debt. The service recently supported a couple who worked full time and are homeowners. They had recently come out of a fixed mortgage deal and their mortgage payments had increased by around £200 per month which further impacted on their ability to repay their consumer debts. This led to them taking out further credit just to pay their ongoing bills such as food, shopping. A spokesperson for the APS said: 'All debt options were discussed and the priority for the couple was to safeguard their home at all costs. ' One of the options discussed was the Debt Arrangement Scheme which lets you pay off your debts at an affordable rate whilst also providing protection from creditors. " This scheme is run by a part of the Scottish Government. ' We helped them to work out an affordable Debt Payment Programme which would likely be accepted by creditors. 'The Debt Payment Programme was approved meaning that our clients could now afford their new mortgage payments together with an affordable payment towards their creditors by reducing their debt repayments from £2300 per month to £400 per month.' APS advisers also helped households in the Armadale ward gain almost £2m extra in maximising income from social security benefits in the last year, as well as securing energy savings of £70,805 from access to financial support and advice. Service staff and now looking at ways of refining the household data they already have to identify pockets of poverty that can be found even in apparently affluent towns and villages in the county. Other county wide statistics offer little reassurance in the current climate. While West Lothian bucks the trend for levels of unemployment in Scotland, 3,325 people in West Lothian are receiving Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit and are searching for work. The most noticeable worrying trend of recent years - even pre Covid- is the growing number of people who are in work but struggling to live on poor wages - a problem made worse with growing inflation post- pandemic. There has been a 171% increase in the number of Universal Credit claimants actually in work since January 2020. That equates to 7,253 people. Councillor Andrew McGuire said: ''Sadly life is becoming harder for many constituents and money is not going as far as it once did. 'As with other places in Scotland there is an increasing trend towards people who are working and living in poverty. 'Given this I am very pleased to see the continued support the council's anti-poverty service has provided to people in Armadale and Blackridge over the last year. 'I would encourage anyone who is concerned about their income or household bills to make an appointment with the advice shop to see what help and support they can be given ' A spokesperson for the APS said: 'The Advice Shop can help with looking at options to maximise income and reduce outgoings/debts. You can contact the Advice Shop on 01506283000 or email
