Stories

Sat, 18 Jul 2026

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 'I'd rather not leave the house so I don't get into more debt'

Great Yarmouth has some of the highest levels of problem debt in the country, but help is at hand.
A seaside town in Norfolk has been ranked among the worst in the UK for debt problems. Great Yarmouth: A Community in Crisis Great Yarmouth, a town on the East coast of England, is facing significant challenges. Unemployment and poverty are high, with many residents struggling to make ends meet. The town's community center, St Mary Magdalene, has seen a surge in requests for help from people dealing with debt, mental health issues, and other personal problems. Debt Advice Services The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has introduced a program called Connect to Work, which aims to support 4,000 people in Norfolk by 2029. The DWP spokesperson said: "We're committed to moving from a welfare state to a working state, giving people in Norfolk and beyond the support they need to move out of poverty and into work." Free Debt Advice Anna Price, community lead at St Mary Magdalene, believes that free debt advice services are essential for tackling the town's debt problems. She said: "Introducing someone in crisis to a person like Tennant is 'like picking somebody off the floor.' It's incredible." Residents Speak Out Resident Anna Price spoke about the challenges facing the community, saying: "You realize when you hear their stories and what their lives are like, that the idea of employment is very, very challenging. It is really heartbreaking, because it's a cycle that you feel like we're trapped in and can't easily see a way out of." Government Response A spokesperson for the DWP said: "We will always work with anyone with an outstanding debt to find an affordable way to repay, which could include pointing individuals towards free debt advice and support services."