How public debt and arrears are experienced by low-income families

New report highlights public debt pulls families further into poverty

Aberlour has evidence that public debt pulls families deeper into poverty and holds them there.

A new report commissioned by the charity outlines and evidences what the impact of public debt, such as Council tax and rent arrears, has especially on low income children and families in Scotland. The report also indicates that low income families are in the midst of a debt crisis.

The qualitative research was conducted by Professor Morag Treanor from Glasgow University, as part of a wider public debt research project which has examined school meal debt and public debt arrears faced by low income families receiving Universal Credit. She reports that for too many low-income families their income simply is not enough to enable them to afford the basics for themselves and their children, forcing many into debt just to survive.