Is life rigged against the poor? One actor has started a campaign against bad lenders. But many at the bottom of society feel trapped in poverty.
Actor pays off his neighbours’ debts
Unfair: "Hard-working people, who are doing their absolute best" can end up with unmanageable debts due to our financial system, says Michael Sheen (above). Glossary
Michael Sheen - A Welsh actor born in 1969. He is known for his theatre roles and screen work, and even appeared in Twilight.
Debts - Money that you owe to other people or banks.
Debt - When you have borrowed money and need to pay it back.
Loan sharks - Moneylender who charge very high rates of interest, often illegally.
Interest - The cost of borrowing money or the return for saving money.
Interest rate - The amount that a bank pays a customer to deposit their money in their bank account. Commercial banks deposit money with the central bank, so the higher the central interest rate, the more money they have to pay in interest to their own customers, and vice versa. As a result, commercial interest rates usually follow the central bank's rate.
Owe - When you are in debt and must repay something (often money) to someone.
Bills - A bill shows how much money you owe for something, such as heating or water.