MERSEYSIDE doctors, teachers and other professionals are seeking debt advice for the first time because they cannot afford to pay spiralling bills and mortgage payments.
That is the stark message from debt counselling services who report seeing a marked increase in the amount of middle class city residents seeking help since Christmas, as they fall into arrears on their mortgages and risk home repossession.
Last night Liverpool cabinet member for finance Flo Clucas said many residents defaulting on their council tax payments over the last four months have been higher earners.
She believes this is a clear sign of the credit crunch now hitting all sections of society.
Debt help agency Christians Against Poverty (CAP) said they had seen a clear change in the type of people coming through their Liverpool office in the last six months.
Liverpool CAP centre manager, Gemma MacKay, said: “When we opened over two years ago, we primarily helped those at the lowest end of the wage scale.
“Whilst we still meet with these people, we have recently seen a strong increase in the numbers of middle class families and individuals coming to us for help too; evidence that the credit crunch and personal debt is now keenly felt by all sectors of UK society. Amongst those in need are now doctors and teachers.”
A spokesman for the charity added: “There has been a marked difference over the last six months. Now trained professionals are getting into debt – this is a growing problem.”
Cllr Clucas confirmed the council has noticed a marked increase in the numbers of “professional” people who are suffering financially.
She said: “We first noticed this back in May, when we realised numbers of people who normally kept up council tax payments were missing payments.”
“It became clear it is not the people you would expect who were missing payments.
“Numbers of professionals, what you may call middle class people, who in normal times would not be in that situation are suffering.
“This is because many have over-stretched themselves in terms of mortgages or their fixed term deals have ended.”
CAP has urged people not to panic and added many people have been helped to pay off their debts by the charity
Ms MacKay added: “I would urge anyone in need to contact me if they are at all worried about their situation.”
CAP deliver free advice on on 0800 328 0006.
