Charity warns deductions are forcing people deeper into debt this winter

Right now we are all facing rising costs as inflation reaches new highs and budgets are squeezed. Many of us across Scotland are reassessing our outgoings and cutting back on non-essentials. However, for those on the lowest incomes there is nothing left to cut back on. 

As we wait for the Scottish Government to announce their spending plan in the upcoming budget Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Scotland are joining the call to pause deductions for Council Tax arrears on social security this winter. 

“When deductions are taken from an already tight budget it means people simply have to go without or they are forced to borrow simply to pay for essentials. One of my clients, who has deductions from his social security, was left trying to choose between whether to go to his medical appointment or a meeting with his Universal Credit Work Coach as he couldn’t afford the bus fares to do both.

“Something’s got to give, in a just and compassionate society we can’t be content with people suffering as their health is impacted and they don’t have enough food in the cupboards.”

Jackson continued: ​“Sadly the situations that Nicky is seeing in Wishaw are happening across the country. Too many people are being forced into problem debt in order to survive. The latest report from Aberlour highlights the problems we’ve been seeing for some time now and the solution we’ve been calling for. We need the Scottish Government to utilise the full extent of their powers to support those who need it most. While the budget is tight, pausing deductions for Council Tax arrears is an easy step they can take which would have a wide reaching impact. Now is the time to act before it’s too late.”