A COALITION of lawyers, advice agencies and trade unionists is calling on MSPs to reject part of the Scottish Government's proposed bankruptcy law shake-up.

Campaigners claim bankrupt debtors will be subject to unnecessary "misery" and health risks if the period they are obliged to continue paying creditors is extended from three to four years.

In a letter published in today's Herald, the group argues: "This would mean that Scots would have to pay back more to creditors than in any other part of the UK.

"Longer payment periods result in more defaults, and increased human misery for those seeking rehabilitation from personal financial crisis." They say bankrupt debtors routinely suffer mental and physical ill-health and relationship breakdowns.

Signatories include Grahame Smith, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, the Rev Sally Foster Fulton, Convener of the Church of Scotland's church and society council and Bruce Beveridge, president of the Law Society of Scotland. StepChange, Money Advice Scotland, Govan Community Law Centre and Glasgow Central Citizens Advice Bureaux backed the call.

MSPs will consider the general principles of the Bankruptcy and Debt Advice Bill on Wednesday.