What steps it is taking to reduce the level of personal debt.

Tackling debt is a key element of the Scottish Executive's Social Justice agenda and we have been working in partnership with a wide range of organisations to improve the financial services available to people on low incomes. Measures being developed or under consideration include:- Arrangements to provide free, high quality money advice for all who need it;- Encouragement of the provision and use of basic bank accounts;- Delivering wider access to low cost credit through the development of credit unions;- Provision of low cost insurance with rent schemes.The Executive is also providing active support to moves by the Department of Trade and Industry to improve lending practices of credit providers and transparency of information provided to consumers.