CAP launches client report

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has launched its latest Client Report. The report examines the collaboration between CAP and other organisations, which makes transformation in people’s lives and circumstances possible.

One client’s story explores how the credit industry, referral partners, local communities and the Church can all work with CAP to tackle poverty and its causes. The report brings together 1,217 responses for the annual client survey and data about all new clients in 2016, the multiple complex needs and hardship experienced by those in problem debt is exposed.

New findings for 2017:

• One in three could not afford to buy a bed, fridge, freezer, washing machine or sofa, so went without at least one of these essential household items
• 45% have been affected by a benefit problem, which contributed to debt problems
• In the last decade, the average level of priority arrears when seeking help has tripled
• 92% did not have any savings to fall back on when entering financial difficulty
• There was a real-terms decrease in the average annual household income of clients seeking help in 2016 compared to 2015, with 63% living below the poverty line
• Low income remains the top reason for debt problems, followed by relationship breakdown and mental ill-health

The report can be downloaded here.