The Citizen’s Advice Bureaux recently revealed that they have dealt with over £25 million in personal debt cases in Suffolk over the past year, a staggering report from the East Anglian Daily Times indicates.

“The economy in general is a problem - everybody is being squeezed,” Nick Mayo, manager at Leiston, Saxmundham and District, said in the report by Craig Robinson. “Petrol costs, housing costs, general living costs - they're all going up but wages are not keeping pace. People take out a mortgage in the hope they can keep up with the payments but if they lose their job or become ill then they will be in trouble. We are increasingly seeing people who fall into this category. When times are good it is not a problem but when things turn bad you can end up losing your home. It's not just the debts but also real issues with relationships - stress, bad tempers - it makes people unhappy and ashamed. It's a very unpleasant place to be.”

According to the report, an increase of 35 times more than the normal amount of housing arrears was noted in one region, as compared with two years prior.

A total of £1.8 million worth of debt cases was handled by the Citizen’s Advice Bureau throughout the last financial year. This figure marks an increase from £1.6 million in the 2006 and 2007 financial year, as well as an increase from the previous £1 million in 2005 and 2006.

Robinson’s report indicated that the culprit, as ever, has been irresponsible lending and secured loans.

“Debt is up on last year and we're certainly seeing an increase in the number of cases,” said Martin Davis, manager at Mid Suffolk Citizen’s Advice Bureau, in the report. “During a boom period people borrow but it only takes a change in the economic climate or their capacity to earn and then they are running into difficulties.”

Robinson’s thorough report for The East Anglian Times also sited Bury St Edmunds Citizen’s Advice Bureau manager Jane Ballard’s reflection on the mounting issue. She indicated that debt advice accounted for 30 per cent of enquiries, making it the biggest single area of required advice.

“In recent months we have certainly seen a rise - there is no question about that,” Ms. Ballard was quoted as saying. “People have fewer and fewer resources and they haven't been able to save so they are getting themselves into difficulties. As soon as someone realises they are having problems they should get in touch, we can give them a debt pack and can start to negotiate payments.”