Debt on the rise for Wolverhampton people
The number of people in Wolverhampton struggling with debt and meet their living costs is growing, new figures show.
StepChange Debt Charity helpline was contacted by 1,398 people from the city area in 2014, compared to 968 the year before - an increase of 44 per cent.
Mike O'Connor, the charity's chief executive, said: "More and more families in the Wolverhampton area are falling into debt and struggling to make ends meet.
"For those living on the edge of their financial means taking control of the situation can seem a daunting, if not impossible, prospect, but taking positive steps towards tackling debt is crucial to getting back on your feet. We urge those who are worried about their debt problems to seek free confidential advice as soon as possible."
The figures have been released as part of the charity's debt awareness week, which is aimed at helping people to get control of their finances and start tackling their debt problems.
Household budgets have shown slight signs of improvement, with those in Wolverhampton contacting the charity with an average of £23 better off than the previous year.
However, the average person had only £35 left to put towards their debts after covering their essential household bills each month, and the average person owed £10,140 in unsecured debt such as credit cards, personal loans and overdrafts.
A survey commissioned by the charity found that almost two million adults in the West Midlands region do not have a household budget.
