EVEN though the summer holidays seem to have only just ended, it’s drawing ever closer to Christmas Day! The festive period can be a very expensive time of year and we at the Legal Services Commission (LSC) are urging people to start planning their finances now to avoid a New Year debt crisis.

With thoughts turning to hitting the high street in search of pre-Christmas rush bargains, I encourage people who see themselves getting into money problems to get advice to prevent crippling credit card bills hitting doormats in the New Year.

Legal aid funds a helpline, Community Legal Advice (0845 3454345), which offers free, quality assured advice on many areas, including debt. Advisers could help people access benefits and create a budget to plan debt repayments – which can help pay for Christmas costs.

Debts accrued over the Christmas period could leave people struggling to pay for essentials like food and heating when the January bills arrive. Our helpline sees a huge spike in January from callers suffering from unmanageable debt – but this doesn’t have to be the case.

Getting help with claiming the right benefits and planning Christmas finances can prevent people becoming one of more than 6.6 million people already behind on payments.

As well as consumers’ worries, a retail slump has also left many businesses fearing a gloomy Christmas. Figures released by the British Retail Consortium show like for like sales dropped 1.5 per cent in the year to September, further evidence that consumer confidence is low.

Every family needs to budget for expensive times like Christmas, but for families who will really feel the pinch, it is essential to get the right advice now. People can get help by calling Community legal advice on 08453454345 or by visiting: www.communitylegaladvice.

org.uk PETER NELSON, Regional Director of the Legal Services Commission in the North West.