Swindon's MPs have launched a campaign to help people cope with debts this Christmas.
Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson invited leading experts to a seminar on Friday to highlight advice available to residents facing financial difficulties.
They are also highlighting ‘top tips’ for dealing with debt at a time of year when people often overspend and worry about money.
MPs are not allowed to give financial advice, but many residents have approached Mr Buckland and Mr Tomlinson so they decided to organise a seminar at their constituency office in Milton Street to get information on how best to point people in the right direction for good advice.
Among those present at the seminar were Marcus Isles, a senior branch manager at Nationwide, Paula Austin, advice services manager at Swindon Citizens Advice Bureau and Steven Law, president of the Association of Business Recovery Professionals.
Mr Tomlinson said: “I was delighted arrange the two-hour training session, which CAB, Nationwide and R3, the Association of Business Recovery Professionals, came to give us.
“We, as MPs, and all our staff had training on how best to deal with local residents who are affected with financial difficulties.
“We now feel far better equipped and also we have practical steps put in place so residents can access help far faster.
“In our own small way we feel we will be able to play a far more practical part in addressing this issue.”
He said one of the most useful tips he picked up was a checklist of what people need to bring with them when they visit the CAB, such as utility bills and bank statements, helping make sure local residents are in the best position possible to benefit from the advice and support offered by CAB.