Help for people struggling with money worries welcomed by CAB

Responding to today's announcement by Prime Minister Gordon Brown of new help for people struggling to make ends meet in the economic downturn, Citizens Advice Director of Policy Teresa Perchard said: "This package of measures shows the government has been listening to people's concerns and is responding to the problems they are experiencing as a result of the downturn. It will also help encourage more responsible lending, for example by a ban on raising credit card borrowing limits where this has not been requested and a ban on unsolicited credit card cheques, both of which we have long called for.

A lot of these measures are ones we have pressed for, and together they should help ease some of the financial hardship people are suffering and make things fairer for consumers burdened by debt.

We are pleased that extra resources have already been put into ensuring people have access to free, independent advice when they most need it and that the government is committed to plugging the gaps that remain. The additional funding for advice agencies to support delivery of the new Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme is also very welcome."