AN OXFORD advice charity is expecting a surge of people needing help with debt problems this month.

Oxford Citizens Advice Bureau, based in St Aldate’s, provides advice and support for people struggling with their finances, struggles often made worse at Christmas.

Director Gill Tishler said: “People in Oxford have begun the new year fighting a debt hangover.

“We usually see a rise in people getting help with debt problems in January, but the kind of problems people are struggling with is changing.

“We’re seeing an increasing proportion of people coming to us because they can’t make their incomes stretch to cover essential bills. Low pay, slow wage growth and difficulty getting enough hours of paid work has left many people struggling to meet the cost of things like rent, energy and council tax.

“We saw 50 per cent more problems with council tax arrears in October to December 2014 than in the same period the year before.

“There is action you can take to get your finances back on track.”

For more information, call the CAB on 0844 411 1444.

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