‘Deprivation poverty’ – not being able afford to buy things most would regard as essential - is on the rise: and more than half of those affected have jobs
There’s a minor domestic crisis in any family when the fridge-freezer breaks down. Wasted food; no fresh milk; pools of water on the kitchen floor. But for some households, the demise of the washing machine, the tumble dryer or the telly is more than a hiccup – it throws up a major financial challenge.
That’s where firms like BrightHouse come in: pop into one of its 291 stores, and instead of having to find several hundred pounds up front, you can replace a busted appliance for a much more manageable £10-£15 a week.
Many rent-to-own customers – who have on average £19 a week spare for one-off costs – have little or no alternative
Continue reading...