Debt advice bus to tour capital with aims to counter winter bills crisis

The capital’s first ever cost-of-living advice bus will be touring London from today, offering free help and support to Londoners struggling to make ends meet and facing mounting debt.

Funded by £145,000 from the Mayor of London’s office, the mobile advice service is being delivered by Debt Free Advice, a partnership of 16 charities which provides expert free advice to Londoners.

Recent City Hall polling shows that nearly one third of Londoners who say they are struggling financially are using more credit or are going into more debt to manage the spiralling costs of living, and a quarter are borrowing money from family or friends.

The polling also revealed that more than half of those earning under £40,000 think they will struggle to pay their bills this winter, with a quarter saying they don’t think they will turn their heating on at all.

Kicking off today in Trafalgar Square, the Debt Free Advice bus will tour the capital for three months, offering Londoners free debt and benefits entitlement advice, and signposting them to further support available.

The bus will be based in accessible public locations, such as supermarkets, town halls and public library car parks, and will offer a range of activities, including webinars, in-person consultations and drop-in money sessions.

Londoners can also access Debt Free Advice’s services via the telephone helpline, which is open 8am-8pm, seven-days-a-week, via video call, WhatsApp or live web chat.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is hitting Londoners hard and, as Christmas approaches, bringing more financial strain, many Londoners will be worrying how they will make ends meet over the coming months.

“No one should have to face these difficulties on their own. I want every Londoner to know that free, expert advice is available in their local area.”

Matt Dronfield, managing director of Debt Free Advice, said: “Winter is setting in, and we already see many of our customers having to choose between heating and eating.

“More than 42 per cent of our customers have a utility bill problem debt.”

Pictured top: The advice bus and crew ready for action (Picture: GLA)