Debt Arrangement Scheme hailed as ‘real success’

New figures from the Accountant in Bankruptcy figures show that more than 2,100 people have now completed debt payment programmes set up by the scheme, helping to prevent them from becoming bankrupt.

A total of £9.6m of debt was repaid between July and September this year - an increase of 1.5% on the previous quarter.

More than £100m has been repaid to creditors since a Scottish government scheme designed to help people with debt was overhauled four years ago, according to new figures.

A total of just over £112m has been repaid through the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) since July 2011.

DAS allows people with money troubles to pay back cash over an extended period of time.

The Scottish government said the scheme had reached “an important milestone”.

Business Minister Fergus Ewing hailed the initiative as “a real success story for Scotland”.

He said: “DAS remains the only statutory debt management plan in the UK.

“Earlier this year, the Financial Inclusion Commission highlighted that existing UK debt solutions are not fit for purpose and recommended DAS, which freezes interest and charges on debts and gives debtors much-needed breathing space, is adapted and rolled out across the whole of the UK.

“It is tremendously gratifying to see a respected body like the Financial Inclusion Commission recognise that Scotland is leading the way when it comes to issues of personal debt management and debt relief.”