A plan to prevent lenders from sending un-solicited credit card cheques to members of the public has been lauded by the government.

The scheme, which sees companies sending out blank cheques to customers who have not requested them, but are know to be in a financial bind has been slammed by Labour MP Russell Brown.

He commented, “There are a number of concerns about the use of these cheques. They are usually sent to consumers unrequested, tempting people into spending that they may not be able to afford.

He added, “There is worrying evidence that rather than borrowing for discretionary purposes, consumers are using them for essential expenditure.”