Debt relief and dignity required

Jubilee Debt Campaign and the Centre for Responsible Credit have called for the government, the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority to address the “severe and persistent” debt burden on low-income households (Report, 5 March).

As debt advisers, we are acutely aware of the recent increase in debt problems, and the damage that this is causing. Our workloads are becoming increasingly dominated by clients for whom debt is a virtually permanent problem. It permeates all aspects of their lives and causes widespread harm not only to themselves, but also to their families and communities.

The burden of debt affects relationships, health, child development and the wider economy. It brings a level of insecurity that exacerbates the current housing crisis and fuels poverty and inequality. It is crucial that the issue is addressed.

The traditional debt advice model, largely based on regaining financial balance following a temporary difficulty, cannot address this “permanent” debt burden on its own. At present, for many low-income households in debt, there is a lack of suitable options. There is no light at the end of the tunnel and it is difficult to see how they can ever achieve a fresh start.

That is why we, as debt advisers organised within the Manchester Money Advice Group, welcome the call for a household debt jubilee. We believe it represents recognition of the need to end “unjust debt” and the irresponsible lending practices that give rise to it.
Karen Bridson, David Burdis, Mike Coltman, Sean Finnegan, Richard Holland, Tim Nelson, George Oldbury, Steve Quinn, Amy Taylor, Ben Thomas, Anne Whittle, Elaine Wilkinson

• Reading James Bloodworth’s heartfelt piece (If we cared a little more, low-wage Britain wouldn’t exist, 15 March), the word that jumped out at me was dignity, and the disgusting lack of it, as experienced by workers in our gig economy. The morally deficient CEOs of these dignity-crushing enterprises can’t be expected to undergo any form of moral conversion in the near future, but in addition to the obvious need for legislation around working conditions, union rights etc, how about establishing a dignity index to complement (or replace) measures of gross national product and “happiness tables”.

Such a mechanism would rate the non-negotiables of any civilised society – the right to secure housing and employment, a benefits system worthy of the name, access to decent levels of healthcare, education, food supplies, and freedom from discriminatory practices in the workplace and elsewhere. Oh yes, and a non-friable planet. I have a strong suspicion that nationally, as well as in the workplace, the UK wouldn’t come out of such an exercise with dignity intact, as it were. Any society with a claim to civilised values should put the dignity of its citizens front and centre, and a dignity index might be a good place to start.
Alan Budge
Buxton, Derbyshire

• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com

• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters