Press office
How should I contact the press office?
You can contact our Press Officer Beccy Boden Wilks on 0121 410 6277 or you may email her at beccybw@nationaldebtline.co.uk.
Do you have spokespeople around the country who can give interviews?
We have spokespeople available to speak to the media in both London and Birmingham. These can be arranged via our Press Officer on the above telephone number.
Can you provide debt case studies?
Yes, many of National Debtline's clients are willing to give media interviews. If you contact our Press Office with details of the type of scenario you are looking to cover. However, many of our clients wish to remain anonymous and our policy of confidentiality must be adhered to. If we are unable to provide a case study who is willing to give their personal details then we can provide you with anonymous real-life case studies for print articles.
Do you have experts that can provide on-air advice?
Yes, we have qualified and experienced debt advisers who can provide on-air debt advice sessions. Again, please contact our Press Officer for further details.
Can you provide advice columns?
Yes, we often write top tips on dealing with debt problems for local and national media. We would be very interested in providing regular advice columns and giving advice for newspaper and magazine readers. For further details contact our Press Officer.
Can you check journalists' copy for accuracy?
Due to our limited resources in the press office it may not be possible for us to do this every time. However we will do our best to check work for technical accuracy when we can.
Can I use images of the National Debtline helpline office?
We often have journalists and production companies visit our office in Birmingham. If you would like images of our advisers at work then contact our Press Officer to discuss this further.
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Phone us for advice 0808 808 4000 |
Media Information
What is National Debtline?
National Debtline is the national telephone helpline for people with debt problems in England, Scotland and Wales. The service is free, confidential and independent. The service has existed since 1987 and was set up in conjunction with Birmingham Settlement and the Money Advice Association (now the Institute of Money Advisers. National Debtline is now part of the Money Advice Trust, (registered charity no 1099506).
What does National Debtline do?
The service provides self-help advice to its callers and also produces written self-help packs and fact sheets to back this up. The National Debtline self help pack for England and Wales has recently been awarded the Plain English Crystal Mark. National Debtline has been awarded the Community Legal Service Quality Mark. We offer expert advice on the full range of debts from rent arrears to congestion charges. We deal with telephone, email and written enquiries. The service can also assist callers with the setting up of Debt Management Plans for England & Wales or Debt Management Plans for Scotland.
What is the Money Advice Trust?
Money Advice Trust is a charity (Registered Charity Number 1099506) formed in 1991 to increase the quality and availability of free, independent money advice in the UK. We work with government, the private sector and the UK's leading money advice agencies to:
- increase the availability of money advice;
- improve quality; and
- improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its delivery.
MAT is recognised by both the government and private sector as a leading organisation promoting free, independent money advice.
There are five key aspects to MAT's work:
- National Debtline and Business Debtline
- Ensuring high-quality money advice
- Research and policy
- Fundraising
- A catalyst for change
MAT works with the following leading UK agencies to achieve its objectives:
How is it funded?
We currently receive funding from a mixture of private sector donations and Government grants (Department for Trade and Industry, Department for Constitutional Affairs and the Scottish Executive).
Information and Statistics on National Debtline
You can download a 'snapshot' outlining the statistical profile of typical National Debtline callers  here.
You can download quick reference National Debtline Essential Details here
You can download a more detailed Guide to National Debtline leaflet here.
National Debtline does not have the capacity to conduct national statistical research. You can download a list of the contact details of organisations that may be able to help here.
Download our "Golden Rules" for dealing with debts here.
Why do people get into debt?
- Clients may easily be able to afford their debts and credit commitments until there is an unforeseen change in circumstances. Separation, unemployment and sickness are the main triggers for debt problems. Click here to view a case study.
- Clients may also trigger a debt problem through over-committing themselves, e.g. by entering into credit agreements that they then realise they cannot afford. Click here to view a case study.
- Clients who are financially and socially excluded, either in low-paid work and/or in receipt of means-tested welfare benefits can easily find themselves in unmanageable debt situations. Click here to view a case study.
What National Debtline clients say about the service?
'Very good. Realistic, concise information made readily accessible by NDL'
'Excellent, polite, advice, explained in detail. Would recommend to others. You should be proud of the service you give.'
'Superb, can't believe its free, cant believe it's not butter!'
'I think that National Debtline is an excellent service. Things that I was very worried about e.g. bailiffs coming to my house to collect for my son's debts, your advisor was able to put my mind at rest. Thank you.'
'Excellent service, the lady was very helpful and explained everything in detail'.
External client and mystery shopping research into the National Debtline service has recently been undertaken which continues to demonstrate high satisfaction levels, albeit access to the service is still a problem due to capacity. The first stage of longitudinal research of National Debtline clients has also been completed, which shows that the service appears to have lasting impact.
- Overall, National Debtline continues to generate high levels of short and long term satisfaction amongst its callers.
- Advice genuinely considered helpful in dealing with debt problems.
- Appears to give callers the confidence and knowledge to take action.
- Overall satisfaction remains high.
- 79% of callers very satisfied with service received (plus further 15% satisfied).
- 89% would definitely recommend to someone in difficultly with debt (plus further 8% probably recommend).
- 78% found the information and advice extremely helpful in dealing with their debt problems.
- Those clients who were being interviewed for the second time evidenced a lasting impact.
- Majority of respondents believe the service has had a significant impact on their lives. 23% claim it has 'fundamentally changed' their life.
- 88% feel 'more in control' of their finances. Of these 79% claim this to have had a 'very positive effect on their general physical wellbeing'
- 69% strongly believed that the stress of being in debt was making them physically unwell.
- 79% confident that if they had similar debt problems they could take control of the situation on their own.
National Debtline in the future
National Debtline is growing rapidly on strong foundations. During 2005 the helpline handled nearly 81,000 contacts with 67,000 clients helped via telephone and e-mail. Demand for National Debtline services is at a record high with 'calls in' up by 30% compared to Q1 2005. Calls answered by an adviser are up 100%.
Due to the level of demand, further adviser recruitment is now in progress. This will increase capacity to 120,000 in 2006, towards the agreed three year goal of 150,000 by the end of 2007.
National Debtline moved to new offices at Tricorn House, 51-53 Hagley Road, Birmingham B16 8TP in August 2005 to accommodate the growing staff numbers.
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Phone us for advice 0808 808 4000 |
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