Third of Scots May Rely on Debt to Cover Costs of Christmas

As many as one in three Scots may rely on some form of debt to cover their costs over the upcoming festive period.

That’s according to research carried out on behalf of the charity The Big Give, which is coordinating fundraising drives on a significant scale across the UK.

The organisation has said that its efforts this year will be happening against a backdrop of widespread financial struggles and anxieties about both coronavirus and rising prices.

In Scotland, the latest research suggests that around one in three people will need to rely on debt to cover their costs this Christmas, with roughly 13 per cent fearful they may find themselves resorting to the use of foodbanks in the coming weeks.

Recent announcements from the Scottish government about Scottish Child Payments doubling from £10 to £20 per week from next April will be welcome news for many but there’s no doubt that many thousands of families in Scotland are under huge financial pressure as Christmas approaches.

Indeed, The Big Give’s director Alex Day has said that for a lot of people “this festive period will be a far cry from picture perfect scenes portrayed on Christmas cards”.

“Our study shows that, sadly, people across Scotland and the rest of the UK are facing an imperfect storm; high fuel prices, chronic mental health problems, rising debt, loneliness and fears about Covid-19,” he said.

Expectations are that the financial pressures that many families are under over Christmas will translate into an increase in demand for a wide variety of charitable services.

“That is why, for those who can, supporting charities is more important than ever,” Mr Day remarked.

The Big Give’s Christmas Challenge is currently coordinating collective fundraising efforts across the country in support of more than 900 different charities, with donations made being matched between November 30th and December 7th.

Celebrities including Russell Brand, Dame Judi Dench and Stephen Fry are all backing the organisation’s Christmas Challenge this year.

If you live anywhere in Scotland and you are worried about your personal debts then Scotland Debt Solutions can help. Contact us any time to arrange a FREE and confidential consultation.