Simon Read: Campaigners tackling high-cost credit problem

Sheffield MP Paul Blomfield launched a "Charter to Stop the Payday Loan Rip-Off" in Parliament this week.

He acted after being dismayed that new regulatory rules set out by the City watchdog this month failed to tighten the screw on rogue lenders who target the vulnerable.

You can back the charter yourself by going online to change.org/paydayloancharter and I urge you to do so if – like me – you're worried about the growing, pernicious influence of profit-hungry payday lenders.

But there are lots of other activities around the country where folk are trying to tackle the problems caused by high-cost credit. In Leeds next Friday, for instance, more than 220 people from all over the country will attend a conference which hopes to warn people about the pitfalls of high-cost credit and promote the advice services which help those suffering from unsustainable debt. I hope to see more such initiatives.