Member Article

North East expert backing MPs all-party insolvency group

A North East insolvency expert has been to the heart of government to help launch a new group designed to keep lawmakers up-to-date with the key issues affecting individuals and companies facing financial difficulties.

Jim James, North East chair of insolvency trade body R3, attended the launch of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group on Insolvency at the House of Commons.

The group has been formed to facilitate MPs’ understanding of debt-related issues to support their work with constituents in this area, with many reporting increasing numbers of people turning to them for help with financial problems.

The Group is chaired by Labour MP Natascha Engel, and includes well-known parliamentarians, such as Liberal Democrat treasury spokesman Vince Cable.

Jim James said: “With the problems brought about by the recession, many MPs, both in the North East and across the country, have reported increasing numbers of constituents coming to their surgeries for help with their personal or business finance difficulties.

“R3 has long had close relationships with both government and Parliament, and has played a central role in helping to shape legislation that impacts on the insolvency sector - formalising these arrangements through this new All-Party group ensures that MPs have access to the information they need to help their constituents address their financial worries.

“The best advice for people facing these issues, whether personal or business-related, is to take control of events rather than letting events control you – getting professional help and advice before situations begin to get out of hand provides the best possible chance of a solutions being found to them.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .