Soaring numbers appealing for help

Scotland’s largest community law unit say calls for help have soared by 30% as the coronavirus crisis grips.

Govan Law Centre say they are now offering money and debt advice to people who previously considered themselves financially sound.

Michael Allan, the centre’s money advice and debt specialist, said: “Inquiries have come from people who previously considered themselves financially stable.

“Some have gone from good earnings to zero income because of lockdown restrictions placed on trading.

“One mechanic had his garage premises shut – he rented the building but the landlord shut it – so he was not able to work.

“We have helped a lot of self employed people claim Universal Credit after the UK government relaxed entry requirements.

“It has made it easier to gain some access to financial support.”

He said the Financial Credit Agency was requiring mortgage providers, credit providers, insurance companies and car finance providers to show more flexibility. But he added: “We are concerned about how these credit commitments can be met if customers are still financially vulnerable after lockdown.”

Lawyers at the centre say that despite protection from the Scottish Government barring landlords from evicting families it is still happening.

Senior solicitor Lorna Walker said: “We are seeing illegal evictions. People cannot be evicted at the moment. But many private landlords don’t use legal procedures to evict people. They use coercion or even force or they just don’t know they are in the wrong.

“We will defend all illegal evictions – this is someone’s home.”