UK families struggling to escape poverty with Britons in debt feeling suicidal due to money worries

A landmark report has today revealed that it’s now much harder for UK families to escape poverty, with Brits in debt feeling suicidal due to money worries.

Christians Against Poverty, who provide debt help, money coaching, life skills groups and job clubs, found it is becoming much more difficult for people to repay unmanageable debt.

The charity found average priority debt levels of clients including rent, council tax and energy have soared by 88 per cent, from £2,300 to £4,300 since 2014.

Across its 1,000 church partners, teams have seen debt and poverty deepening. With over a third of adults in Britain worrying about their finances every day, money worries are not going away.

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Almost half of clients (46 per cent) have told Christians Against Poverty that they considered ending their own life because of their debts, showing how dangerous unmanageable debt can be.

Dean, from Bradford, West Yorkshire felt suicidal after he fell into debt as a result of redundancy, a family loss, and then not being able to work due to nerve damage in his legs and suffering with epilepsy.

He told GB News: "I was suicidal and ended up in a psychiatric hospital and really struggled with my mental health due to the debt I was in.

"Since I left school, I'd never been out of work and then finding myself disabled after having surgery came as a big shock.

"My bills were pay as you go but it got to a stage where I was sitting for days with no heating, no gas, so I was just nothing."

Christians Against Poverty helped Dean out of debt and he has managed to start a savings pot, but things are still a struggle with rising costs.

Since becoming a Christian, Dean says his faith has really helped him and he now volunteers at his local food bank to help others in need.

"Through the foodbank and the people that helped me at Christians Against Poverty (Cap), it really turned my life around," he said.

"With Cap they gave me options to get out of £8,000 of debt and I'm in a lot better place now, I've got savings in the bank which I've never had and I like giving back at the food bank, helping others who are in the situation I was and inspiring them that there is hope and support out there."

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Dean is one of 35,000 people that have become debt free after assistance from Christians Against Poverty.

The charity is now in its 30th year, and over three decades has given free debt advice to more than 80,000 and provided 100,000 people with face-to-face money or job coaching.

Carol Pullen is a Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre Manager at St Aidan's Church in Buttershaw, near Bradford.

She told GB News that the advice the charity provides is invaluable, especially as the cost of living rises.

"The wages of the people who I've come across, they say that there is no progression in their work, that there's no progression or promotion," she said.

"In fact, with the cost of living, the living wage doesn't equate to the cost of food. A lot of people are having to give up higher quality foods for cheaper alternatives which aren't as healthy, or cut back on food all together and rely on foodbanks for support.

"Even transport - the cost of fuel has escalated recently and that's something that the powers that be could do something about."

Through the guidance of Christians Against Poverty, and Christ-centred support, churches across Britain can build a community where people who are navigating life on a low income come together to share ideas and skills.

Reverend Chris Enwerem is the Vicar of St Aidan's and St Michael's near Bradford, where Christians Against Poverty provide debt advice and run job clubs.

He told GB News: "God did not want us to live in debt, he forgives us of our debt, and he wants us to forgive others, and not just forgive others, but empower them to be out of debt."

Over the 30 years Christians Against Poverty has been established, more than £500 million pounds of debt repaid or written off.

The charity's Chief Executive, Stewart McCulloch, said: "Debt is now far more challenging to repay.

"Living in spiralling debt is dangerous. It often results in families unable to afford healthy food, living in cold, damp unsafe properties and facing isolation, anxiety and depression.

"For 30 years, churches have partnered with CAP to provide face-to-face support that restores joy, hope and resilience.

"But ending poverty requires a compassionate, collective movement that empowers our neighbours through their toughest storms.

"Around 30,000 people have joined CAP as supporters, campaigners and volunteers, determined to help the charity stop poverty and see lives transformed."

If you are struggling with your finances, you can find out more about the services CAP offers in your area by visiting the website HERE.

To support Christians Against Poverty, click HERE.

Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.

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