Do you owe Council Tax or benefit-related debts? Take part in interviews investigating their impacts

GovernmentDebtResearch

Hi everyone, 

I’m a doctoral researcher at a university in England where I'm currently conducting research into the benefit-related debts (e.g. overpayments, Universal Credit advances, hardship payments, etc.) and council tax debts that people owe to the government and local authorities. In particular, my study aims investigate why these debts-to-government have become such a common problem in England, and to understand how they are impacting peoples’ capacity to ‘get by’ and cover the essential costs of living.

I’m looking to recruit people that owe, or have previously owed, benefit-related and/or council tax debts to participate in interviews that will explore their experiences managing these debts, and the impacts that they have had on their lives. 

If you are interested in participating in this study or have any questions, please contact me  governmentdebtresearch@gmail.com

Many thanks,

*this message was posted with the permission of the forum team*

JadedAngel88

Is there any incentive for this information or are you expecting people to give them their experiences for free.

GovernmentDebtResearch

JadedAngel88 said:

Is there any incentive for this information or are you expecting people to give them their experiences for free.

Hello there, any public transport expenses made in the process of getting to the interview will be reimbursed (though the interviews can also be held online or via the phone), but unfortunately this research does not currently have the budget to provide a financial incentive for participating in the interviews. If this would prevent you from taking part then I fully understand. 

MSE_James

Hi - in response to a couple of queries we've received, I can confirm that @GovernmentDebtResearch was in touch with the Forum Team before posting.