If personal debt was regarded as a disease such as typhoid then the scale of it in Cornwall would justify 'moving heaven and earth' to eradicate it; this was the gist of a presentation given yesterday by Cornwall's Citizens Advice Bureau to six Cornwall councillors.
The number of families and individuals with unmanageable debts should be of major concern to policy makers. There is likely to be very appreciable increase in the numbers as the effects of the 'age of asterity' gather pace.
What can be done? A three point programme is the way forward:
1. Get the issue given the priority it demands by policymakers.
2. Educate those at risk of their rights.
3. Promote responsible borrowings.
The CAB presentation is part of an on-going evidence gathering activity about poverty in Cornwall.
The implications of excessive personal debts are profound and range across family stability, child poverty, mental health and community viability, to name just a few.
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