14 November 2002
‘SPEND WISELY’ IS THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
As the Christmas tree went up in Castle Court concerns turned again to the problem of debt at Christmas. The Social Security Agency and the Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux have highlighted the problem through their leaflet ‘How to keep out of Debt this Christmas’.
At the joint launch of the leaflet today in Castle Court, Chris Thompson, Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency said:
"Christmas is a happy time of year. Many people can get caught up with shopping and Christmas present lists without realising how much they are spending. However, after the festivities are over the realisation of just how much has been spent can cause difficulties for families.
"We want people to enjoy themselves but to know their spending limitations. This leaflet which is easy to follow, can help those celebrating Christmas to better plan their finances."
Derek Alcorn Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux said:
"Each year our client numbers increase as more and more people find difficulty coping with their Christmas spending. Serious debt problems are frequently highlighted in the period just after Christmas.
"It is important that everyone takes extra care with their budgets, and that the public shops around for the cheapest form of credit – store cards typically charge almost four times more interest than a personal loan from a bank or building society."
The leaflet, which offers a simple 4-step guide to better spending at Christmas, can be obtained from all Citizens Advice Bureaux, Social Security Offices, Credit Unions, Libraries, Community Benefit Offices, and many other locations. It can also be viewed on the Internet sites of the Social Security Agency and the Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
www.ssani.gov.uk
- Citizens Advice is the largest advice charity in Northern Ireland providing information, advice and advocacy to 186,000 clients per annum. 22,000 of these clients have debt related difficulties. CAB publishes The Handbook for Debt Advisers in Northern Ireland
- The Social Security Agency Social Fund loans and grants paid out £48,952,691 during the financial year 2001/2002. Between November 2001 and January 2002 the total figure was £13,104,914 26.77% of the total expenditure.
- The Debt Leaflet was first launched in November 2001.
- The leaflet is being distributed through:
Social Security Offices; Citizens Advice Bureaux; Credit Unions; Safeway stores; Rates Collection Agency; Universities; Doctors’ surgeries; Dental Practices; District Councils; Age Concern; Help the Aged; Gingerbread; Disability Action; Education & Library Boards; Family Farm Development; Ulster Farmers Union.
- The Social Security Agency website address is:
The Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux website address is: www.niacab.org
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