A DUNFERMLINE debt centre has seen a "surge in demand" as the rising cost of living pushes more people into primary debt.

Christians Against Poverty (CAP), a charity that aims to reduce poverty through money management education, debt help and life skills groups, have seen a shift in West Fife from secondary debt to that which arises from the "essentials of life".

Duncan Christie, community links co-ordinator for the CAP Dunfermline Debt Centre, told the Press: "Last week we actually had our busiest week for referrals in at least a year. We are seeing people crying out for help and getting to the point where they really can't take any more, they realise that they have a debt problem and they need to turn to somebody for support.

"We're pleased that people are, at last, recognising the difficulty that they're in. We're really busy and we're starting to see this surge in demand from people who are just beyond being able to cope."

In a recent survey conducted by the charity, CAP found that the number of clients in Scotland who felt lonely and isolated before seeking debt help had risen from 51 per cent to 79 per cent while more than a third of new CAP clients have considered or attempted suicide as a way of getting out of their debt problems.

He continued: "What we're seeing is that the circumstances of life, relationship break-ups, mental health and the inability to work then leads to people getting into debt. Although we have been working for over 20 years in Dunfermline, what we're seeing now is that the type of debt people have is different.

"Whereas maybe 10 years ago, it would have been what we call secondary debt, like credit cards and personal loans, it is now the essentials of life. It's things like your council tax, your energy bills, it's borrowing short-term so you can put food on the table and clothes on the kids' backs. The essentials.

"There's a marked change there in what's happening. It's not a lifestyle choice that people are making, it's been imposed on them by the cost-of-living crisis and the challenges of life."

CAP offers a range of services to help people out of the financial holes that they may find themselves in.

Duncan added: "What we try to do is get alongside people, visit them in their own homes and tailor something that gives them the options and the best way out of debt for their circumstances. We'll support them through that until they go debt-free.

"We're interested in the whole person, being there and journeying with them through the tough times. It's not just a case of one visit, tell them how bad the situation is and give them some things they need to do before letting them get on with it. We know how difficult that is.

"People need a bit of support and encouragement to get there for themselves."

Last week alone, the debt centre saw two households that had been working with CAP for months become debt-free.

He said: "For us, that's really what we're trying to achieve. We're trying to help people to get free from the burden of debt and the impact of that."

To find out what services CAP are offering in your area and how they can help you, visit https://capuk.org/about-us/our-work-across-the-uk/our-work-in-scotland or call 0800 328 0006.