Sunderland MP Julie Elliott is supporting a new scheme to help families recover from problem debt. 

A new report by the Children’s Society has highlighted the impact of debt on children, with children in low income families with multiple debts being more likely to suffer from mental health problems.

The charity is calling for the legal protection from increasing interest to provide families in debt with the ‘breathing space’ they need.

In Sunderland nearly 3000 children are living in families with problem debt and across the country there are an estimated 2.4 million children whose families have been behind on their debts.

Julie has written to the Chancellor to ask the Government to support the campaign and has also asked a number of Parliamentary Questions to push the Government to do more to help those in debt. 

Julie Elliott said:

It’s not right that pressure to repay debts at an unaffordable rate is forcing families in my city to cut back on essentials like food and fall behind on bills.

I’m particularly worried about the impact of this on children -; it’s unacceptable that children’s mental health and happiness is suffering.  

That’s why I’m calling on the Government to look carefully at the Children’s Society’s report and consider introducing the policies it recommends to help families get back on their feet.