HARSH REALITY

The illusion that politicians like to peddle is that the working class are slowly but surely improving their economic position. The opposite is the case as borrowers are turning to payday lenders to pay for essentials like food, energy and housing costs, and are being granted loans even when they are not in a position to pay them back, according to research by a debt charity. 'Although the loans are marketed as a quick, flexible way to get cash for items like home improvements and holidays, almost four out of five people who turned to Christians Against Poverty with problem debts, including payday loans, said they had used them for food. Half said they had paid gas and electricity bills with them, while a third had borrowed to meet rent or mortgage costs.' (Guardian, 1 October) RD