Abacus Daily Debt News

Unemployment blackspots to cause more debt?

Debt problems may be worse in areas with high unemployment and a study has shown some of these are offering little hope of finding new work.

A Trades Union Congress (TUC) survey of local government districts has found there were 31.8 jobseeker's allowance claimants per vacancy in Inverclyde, with West Dunbartonshire second worst off with a ratio of 29.5.

The nine areas with the least favourable ratio were all in Scotland or London, with Middlesbrough tenth-worst.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber warned a "twin-track" jobs market may exist, where falling unemployment is concentrated more in some regions, while others continue to have severe problems.

He said it is important there is more investment in such areas to tackle this issue.

Earlier this week, national PR officer for Christians Against Poverty Marianne Clough noted becoming unemployed is one of the changes in financial circumstances that can lead people who were previously coping with their borrowing into unmanageable debt.

By Amy White