A NEW telephone advice service will soon be available in Cornwall to help with the expected surge in enquiries about debt caused by the coronavirus lockdown.

Citizens Advice is launching the debt helpine on 01752 850488 this coming Friday and advisers will be on hand every Monday and on alternate Fridays.

In 2019/20, Citizens Advice debt specialists helped people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to write-off £5.6 million worth of debt and reschedule £1.7 million in repayments.

Debt is the third most common reason that people come to Citizens Advice in the county, ahead of advice on benefits and tax credits, and Universal Credit.

Citizens Advice Debt Project Lead Pippa Cann said: ’Even before the coronavirus outbreak, dealing with debt was a major issue in Cornwall. The lockdown is expected to greatly increase debt levels as people struggle to make ends meet.

’We are particularly concerned for people who are finding their debts unmanageable or maybe approaching a crisis point – the earlier people contact us the better able we are to help them through their issues.’

From Friday May 29, people will be able to call the debt team on 01752-850488 on alternate Fridays and every Monday and speak directly to a Debt Adviser. If lines are busy, they will be asked to leave a message and an adviser will call them back within three working days. Alternatively, they can text the word DEBT to 78866 at any time, and again, receive a call back from an adviser.

The main debt arrears in Cornwall in the last financial year were: unsecured loans (£2.6m); credit cards (£2.4m);  water bills (£600k); council tax (£507k); overdrafts (£393k); catalogue and mail order (£368k); and income tax arrears (£296k).

Other debts included rent arrears (£255k); benefit overpayment (£242k); hire purchase (£213k); mortgage arrears (£201k); and tax credit overpayments (£188k).