07 July 2010

The real stories behind the issue of the country's personal debts became the focus of a special meeting of MPs at Westminster

Following the austerity measures announced by the Chancellor just weeks before, Christians in Parliament held a cross-party gathering to hear from a growing debt counselling charity.

Amid the gold and splendour of the beautiful Speaker's Apartments, founder of Christians Against Poverty, John Kirkby, described what life is like for the destitute and desperate suffering the stresses of being in debt.

He said the average income of CAP's clients is just £11,700 - quite different from the figures released Tuesday 6 July by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation showing that a single person needs an income of £14,400 to survive in this country with a decent standard of living.

CAP gives free debt counselling and a solution through its 131 centres based in local churches throughout the UK.  This involves the charity contacting their creditors, prioritising housing and utility bills and setting the household a budget. 

Mr Kirkby addressed the gathering of MPs, Lords, lobbyists and Westminster staff on Tuesday night encouraging them to do what they could to help the poor and to keep believing they could make a difference. 

He told them of his own experiences saying: 'I am living testimony that when poor people are given the right chance, they shine.'

He added: 'Poor people are not stupid. They are more clever than many people think. They have been living off their wits for years and you have to be clever to do that. They can smell pity at a mile. We don't give hand-outs, we give hand-ups.'

He told them that the Bradford-based charity aims to have a centre in every city and town by 2015 and that the Church was best placed to offer holistic and lasting care, backed up by the expertise at head office in Bradford. 

Afterwards, chair of CiP Gary Streeter MP for Devon South West said he was 'profoundly impressed' with the work of CAP and would be recommending them to any of his constituents in need.

'This was one of the most radical and outside-of-the-box presentations we've ever had. I think it's made a real impact. There were plenty of members of parliament here to hear it both long-in-the-tooth like myself or brand new, as plenty have been, and we've gone away with plenty of food for thought.'

ENDS –

Notes to editors:

For more information about Christians Against Poverty, please contact Marianne Clough at the press office on 01274 761924 or marianneclough@capuk.org

Please ask us for case studies and pictures – we have a large selection!

Copy, quotes and pix from the day in Westminster will be with you on Wednesday.

About Christians Against Poverty

CAP aims to show God’s love in action by providing sustainable poverty relief through debt counselling, advice and practical help. CAP’s unique ‘hands on’ approach empowers people to help themselves out of poverty and be released from the fear, oppression and worry generated by overwhelming debts. Vital financial and budgeting life skills are developed through our services, thus ensuring poverty relief is sustainable.

The charity operates through a growing network of centres based around the UK, all opened in partnership with a local church. Over the last fourteen years, the charity has grown from one man working from his home with a donation of £10, to a national charity with 131 centres across the country and an annual turnover of £5 million.

CAP’s vision is to answer the national problem of debt in the UK by having at least one CAP centre operating in every major town and city by the end of 2014.