A Lost Generation of Young Scots Looms, Says Debt Solutions Company; Scottish Trust Deed

ALTRINCHAM, ENGLAND, March 09, 2011 (Press-News.org) A new report by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) shows young people aged 16 to 24 are unemployed, rely on benefits and are building up debt, leading many to despair about what the future holds for them.

CAS chief executive Lucy McTernan said: "CAB advisers have reported for some time that young people were experiencing real problems, so when we began this survey we expected the results to show quite a lot of suffering. But, frankly, we've been taken aback by just how bleak the picture is.

"In August 2010 the report shows that almost 1 in 10 young people were claiming Jobseeker's Allowance compared to only 1 in 20 of all people of working age. Between August 2007 and August 2010 the figures for young people claiming the allowance suddenly increased by a massive 80%. Some 13% of young Scots now claim some kind of benefit.

"There is real anger and despair out there," continued Lucy. "Young people feel they are suffering the aftershock of a recession that they did nothing to create and, to make matters worse, they feel no-one listens to them or takes them seriously."

Some areas if Scotland which have always been shown historically low rates for Jobseeker's Allowance claimants, such as East Lothian, Midlothian and East Renfrewshire, have now more than doubled, while the highest rates of all are seen in the West around North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and Inverclyde.

A spokesperson for Scottish Trust Deed is worried by the levels of young people phoning for advice on debts and Protected Trust Deeds. "A few years ago the average age of our clients was around the mid-30s. With the recession we have had people as young as 21 come to ask us whether a Protected Trust Deed could write off the huge debts they have accumulated. Some of them have run up debt at university and now can't find a job to make payments on them, while others have been topping up their Jobseeker's Allowance with credit cards."

"One of the reasons for this is a major flaws in the benefits systems, particularly Jobseeker's Allowance. Young people are put on a lower rate and receive less payment than other older working adults. For young Scots who are not at university and live independently away from home, this unfair payment system is making it impossible to make ends meet, and frequently the only advice they are given is 'move back home with your parents'. Can you imagine anyone giving the same advice to an older adult on benefits? It is estimated that around 4 in 10 CAB clients under 25 live with their parents because they have no other choice."

Lucy McTernan is in agreement: "While these problems can affect all people in society, it is clear from our report that they are hitting young people harder than most. To be young in Scotland today is to worry about whether you will be able to get a job or a home. If you are able to get into higher education that means you will almost certainly be taking on huge debts. The benefits system, meanwhile, frankly discriminates against the young."

She added: "Every local CAB is equipped to give free, confidential and impartial advice on all of these problems. And our message to Government ministers is that they, too, need to start listening to this generation, and understand that, while young people may be the future, their problems are very much the present."

Scottish Trust Deed provide help and advice on the ScottishTrust Deed debt solution. With a Trust Deed you can write off up to 90% of your debt and be completely debt free in 36 months. Our experienced advisors are only a phone call away to help you with your debt problems.

Website: http://www.scottishtrustdeed.co.uk