Advice charity goes online to offer help

The interactive website, My Money Steps, offers people personalised debt advice based on their individual circumstances.

After asking people a series of questions about their situation, it offers them an action plan and sends people email reminders about what they should do.

People's details are stored securely on the site, so users can return to it for ongoing help or to get new suggestions if their circumstances change.

The website, which has been set up by the Money Advice Trust in partnership with Barclaycard, will direct people with complex situations or who need urgent help to the National Debtline for one-to-one advice.

UK consumers now collectively owe nearly 1.5 trillion in mortgages and unsecured debt, and debt advice agencies have been struggling to keep up with a surge in demand for their services.

Providing debt advice online is not only efficient but anecdotal evidence also suggests that many people prefer to receive help in this way because they are embarrassed about their situation.

The website can be found at www.mymoneysteps.org.