UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, today slammed “irresponsible lending policies” which had led to Stephen Lewis committing suicide over £70, 000 credit card debts.
Mr Lewis’s widow, Susan, is a UNISON member and the union has been helping her to deal with the aftermath of the family tragedy.
Dave Prentis said:
“This is a dreadfully tragic case – how on earth can any bank justify charging £50, 000 interest and charges for a £20, 000 debt? Irresponsible lending policies should be outlawed by the government. It is far too easy for people to be seduced into borrowing money as the answer to their financial problems. Then they end up in a spiral of mounting debt which can lead to desperate consequences.
“Susan Lewis and her children are victims of these greedy banking practices. But there could be many more victims in the making. Our welfare service is dealing with an increasing number of people in serious debt.”
UNISON set up a debt counselling service just over a year ago because of an increasing number of requests for help from the union’s charity UNISON Welfare had debt as a cause. Since the service was launched, it has dealt with more than 1,500 cases.
The average debt is around £12,000, but at the highest end some members have up to £75,000 worth of debt. Loans and credit cards usually make up the bulk of the debt.
Other issues that members seek support from UNISON Welfare include lack of money to provide for children – school meals, uniform – money for travel to work, money to pay for essential household items, including fuel, clothing, disability equipment, cookers and fridges. UNISON Welfare helps around 1,200 members each year.