EAST Lothian is among the top 10 Scottish constituencies for the highest levels of payday loan debt, attracting concern from county politicians who fear the new statistics are only the “tip of the iceberg”.

Figures reported by StepChange on the circumstances of its 4,500 Scotland-wide clients last year show that people in East Lothian seeking debt advice are now saddled with average payday loan debt of £1,864.

This is £466 above the Scottish average, and also exceeds the 2010 and 2011 figures.

The total debt of StepChange’s East Lothian clients last year averaged £14,633, nearly £500 above the client average across Scotland.

Figures on rent and mortgage arrears for East Lothian clients also topped the table, while energy bill and council tax arrears were slightly better than the national average.

The latest figures echoed Haddington Citizens Advice Bureau statistics released earlier this year, showing debt-related cases it took on represented 51.4 per cent of total April to June 2013 enquiries, a rise from 43.58 per cent over the same quarter in 2012.

The Scottish Government has launched the ‘12 Days of Debtmas’ campaign to warn people against the dangers of payday lenders, promote debt advice services and highlight credit unions as a low-cost alternative.

County MSP Iain Gray said the new report made for worrying reading in East Lothian.

“While the figures only relate to StepChange clients in the county, I fear that they are only the tip of the iceberg and that many more county households are struggling with high levels of debt,” he said.

“With local families preparing for Christmas, the temptation to borrow money is ever-present and debt problems can quickly get out of control.” He added: “I urge anyone who is struggling with debt or needs advice on how to manage their debt to seek immediate help from StepChange or their local CAB.

“Free help and advice is available by calling 0800 138 1111 or online at www.stepchange.org” Meanwhile, the county’s Westminster representative, Fiona O’Donnell, is among 70-plus MPs and peers backing the Charter to Stop the Payday Loan Rip-off, which calls on the Financial Conduct Authority to introduce tougher regulation of payday lenders.