Gosling's Grouse: Debts of despair

GOSLING'S GROUSE

Now, I am a personal finance journalist with over 25 years' experience (well that is what it says on my CV).

So when my eldest daughter was referred to the Money Advice Service I did not know whether to laugh, cry or hide my head in embarrassment. I supposed I should be thankful to the Halifax for writing to her to suggest she goes and gets advice for her debt problems. After all she is a student and they are all in debt- and her debt is the massive sum of £220. No wonder this country lost its AAA rating with problems like this. And why was she referred? Not because she has no means (she has a three day a week job while at university). And not because I have refused to guarantee the debt....