‘Important milestone’ reached by Debt Arrangement Scheme

Since being overhauled four years ago, a total of just over £112m has been repaid through the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) since July 2011, according to new figures.

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”.

The Accountant in Bankruptcy figures showed 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 per cent on the previous quarter.

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.”