Warning plea over payday loan

North Lanarkshire Culture, an off-shoot of the council, does not block these sites from public libraries and its own offices unlike some other local authorities, like nearby West Dunbartonshire Council. The authority acknowledged that the decision would not solve the problem but wanted to use what powers it had to protect both its staff and residents from the astronomical rates of interest charged separately on each loan.

Ian Eadie who manages the Citizens Advice Bureau in Cumbernauld, said that debt issues now make up a staggering 35 per cent of his casework. He added: “The council should block these websites. This would be a step in the right direction. For the council it would be the responsible thing to do.

“People we see often use more than one company so that they can pay the previous debt back. It really is a vicious circle All these websites pose as if they are respectable outfits when we know it’s not the case,’’ he said

Meanwhile a council spokesman said: “While we would urge users to be cautious entering into any loan agreements online, the responsibility lies with the individual. NLC offers money advice services to residents who may be concerned about their personal finances.”

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