Groundbreaking research has exposed a stark gender inequality at the heart of public debt collection in Scotland, with women being significantly more likely than men to be pushed into poverty by the system.
The Gendered Burden of Debt
A comprehensive report from the University of Glasgow, commissioned by a coalition of charities including Aberlour Children’s Charity, One Parent Families Scotland, and Trussell, delivers a powerful indictment of current practices. The study, titled The Gendered Impact Of Public Debt, analysed the anonymised records of 71,000 people seeking debt advice and found that a striking 57% were women.
The research confirms that women not only seek help with debt more often, but they also owe the largest amounts in public debt, such as council tax and rent arrears. This financial burden is intrinsically linked to caring responsibilities, which often lead to reduced income, less financial resilience, and a greater overall risk of poverty.
How Debt Collection Deepens Hardship
The situation is critically worsened by the methods used to recoup arrears. Deductions directly from benefits, such as Universal Credit, to pay off debts frequently render already difficult household budgets impossible to manage. The report reveals a staggering £221 million is deducted from Universal Credit payments alone each year in Scotland.
Justina Murray, Chief Executive of Aberlour, described the pursuit of public debt as inflicting “further financial harm on some of our poorest families.” She urged public authorities to see arrears as an “emergency flare, a signal to intervene – not to make things worse.” She emphasised that there are “far better, more humane, and less destructive ways to collect, or cancel, this kind of debt.”
A Call for Systemic Change
The problem is compounded by Scotland's specific enforcement rules. Enforced payment of council tax arrears is fast-tracked, and debt can be collected for 20 years, compared to just six in England and Wales.
The link between debt and destitution is undeniable. The Trussell Trust reported that “nearly everyone” referred to its food banks in Scotland is dealing with arrears, with disabled families and single-parent families at the greatest risk.
Professor Morag Treanor from the University of Glasgow stated that “public debt does not come in isolation but most often arrives alongside other hardships and inequalities.” She argued that policies must be shaped by a stronger understanding of its cumulative impact, confirming that public debt is a key driver of the country’s poverty crisis.
Cara Hilton of Trussell called the findings a “wake-up call for decision-makers,” demanding bold action to end the spiral of public debt that traps women and their children in hunger and hardship. The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
