Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:15 pm on 1 December 2021.
Diolch, Llywydd, and thank you to those who've contributed to this timely debate. It's surely morally wrong for anyone to be in debt simply as a result of trying to survive, because that's what we're talking about here: families who struggle to afford basic costs, rent, or council tax to keep a roof over their heads, and bills for gas and electricity to keep them warm and fed. Sioned Williams has talked about the Victorian poverty facing many families. We no longer have the spectre of Scrooge in his counting house, but the flash modern company with enticing websites and usurious interest rates. Mark Isherwood spoke about improving financial capability; I know that financial literacy and capability is something Citizens Advice has worked on for many years. I don't think it will answer all of the issues we've raised, but I do agree that this does deserve more support. Jane Dodds spoke about the psychological toll of debt, the weight of debt around families' necks—yes, indeed.