Residents of Barking and Dagenham who are worried about their finances and need help to tackle debt are now able to get advice and support from a new local website.



Barking and Dagenham Money has been developed as part of the council’s wider work with its partners to tackle the challenges faced by residents around money and debt. As well as helping residents take control of their finances, it will connect people to support that can reduce the stress that debt and financial worry place on their lives.



It is a website that brings trusted information together, making it clear and easy for residents to understand the options available to them - a one-stop-shop, which will help users to access a range of financial support and advice depending on their circumstances.



Launching the website, Cllr Dominic Twomey, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance & Core Services, said: “We are living through very difficult times, with many of our residents struggling to manage and get by. We are dealing with the economic costs of the Covid pandemic with some residents out of work and struggling on reduced incomes.



“The cost of living including increased energy and food prices is set to hit household budgets even further, so we are doing everything to protect our residents.”



Information available on the site includes details of how to access hardship funds, benefits and debt advice, support getting into work, help with budgeting, mental health support, access to affordable credit providers, and much more.



It will point residents to support from different organisations, including local community groups, national debt charities, providers of affordable borrowing options, the council and local foodbanks.



Cllr Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership & Engagement is encouraging residents not to suffer in silence and to take advantage of this resource.



She added: “We continue to work with our partners to provide help and support to every resident, regardless of their level of need, by putting them in touch with appropriate sources of help, whether they have significant debts and are struggling to get by, or just want to be able to save a little more.



“Residents who are struggling can explore all the options open to them, including claiming all the benefits they are entitled to and looking for work if they are unemployed. If they need to borrow money, Barking and Dagenham Money has information on affordable options which will avoid people having to use loan sharks and other high interest rate borrowers. I will encourage residents to visit the website.”



Residents can visit the Barking and Dagenham Money website at: www.bdmoney.co.uk.