IT'S one of the growing problems of our times: the thousands and thousands of people trapped by spiralling debts they have no real hope of ever repaying.

Easy credit with no questions asked, unscrupulous lenders and jargon-laden credit agreements, often with a nasty sting in the tail hidden in the small print, make it all too easy to saddle yourself with a crippling debt burden.

A few years ago, says Paula Sidebottom, of York Citizens Advice Bureau, the most likely reason for someone to come to the CAB for advice was benefit claims. Now it is debt.

A quarter of all inquiries to the York office are debt-related - something like 6,500 cases in the York area alone every year.

So a new package of proposals announced by Consumer Minister Melanie Johnson this week aiming to protect the most vulnerable consumers from being ensnared by debt are long overdue.The measures include:

- Extra powers for the Office of Fair Trading and the courts to clamp down on loan sharks - including powers to impose fines and revoke credit licences

- Proposals to make it easier for courts to examine unfair credit agreements and challenge cases brought by lenders for repossession of a home where loan costs are very high

- Action to stop irresponsible lending, with lenders required to look at whether a prospective borrower is already over-committed

- A change to the rules so penalties for those who want to settle loans early are less harsh

- Clearer and more understandable credit agreements, with the small print being magnified to protect against hidden snags

- Access to cheaper, more competitive loans with the introduction of on-line credit agreements.

Announcing the measures, Ms Johnson said: "Our credit laws are 30 years old and need a radical overhaul to protect people in today's credit market.

"There has been a worrying increase in the numbers of people falling into the debt trap, getting loans at often extortionate rates which they clearly can't afford to repay.

"We will take action to protect vulnerable consumers who are preyed on by rogue lenders and make sure that consumers get clear and understandable information so they know exactly what they are getting into before they sign on the dotted line."

The proposals were welcomed today by York CAB - but Paula Sidebottom warned the problems of debt would not go away.

"Clearly it is good news - but it won't help those who already have existing credit agreements," she said.

If you are struggling with debt, the York CAB has a specialist debt team who can offer you expert advice, free of charge. Drop in to the CAB office at 3 Blossom Street, York, on Monday, Tuesday or Friday between 9.30am and 3.30pm or on Wednesday between 4.30 and 7pm, or call, same hours, on 01904 636066. To make an appointment in advance, call 01904 623550.