Flac warns over unsecured consumer debt ahead of winter energy price hikes

The Free Legal Advice Centres' report said rising inflation, higher energy costs, the PUP being phased out, and the wage-subsidy scheme probably being removed will put a lot of people under pressure

Eilis Barry, chief executive of the Free Legal Advice Centres, said: "We need more solid data in order to create policies that will protect vulnerable households from further stress following the pandemic."

The Government and banks have been warned the plight of distressed households struggling with consumer debt arrears from the fallout of the pandemic will likely be made worse as utility bills soar this winter.   

In a major report, 'Pillar to Post', the Free Legal Advice Centres, or Flac, said the problem of unsecured debt had been "incubating" since the onset of the Covid crisis and will be exacerbated by the energy prices crunch.