The Conservative party has launched an anti-debt campaign that urges young people to “ignore their inner tosser” and cut out unnecessary spending to reduce the likelihood of serious debt problems.

The campaign, which features a website including sections called the “tosser test”, “tosser map” and “look what my tosser did”, intentionally “uses provocative language in order to get the message of personal debt across”.

“Sometimes it is necessary to use provocative language to grab people’s attention and get them thinking about important issues. If our direct approach helps to get the message of personal debt across and offers people some tips on how to manage their situation the initiative will be have been worthwhile,” says a spokesman.

www.sort-it.co.uk is an interactive site that offers everything from a monthly cash planner to information on agencies that can help with debt management. The site also warns that “inside all of us lurks a conniving, dirty little parasite urging you to spend, spend, spend” and provides a section for users to own up to their over-spending excesses – amongst those featured are;

• A commuter who confesses to taking a taxi home every day despite owning a travel pass.
• A shopper whose heart raced when they bought a designer handbag.
• A party goer who bought two bottles of Cristal champagne for £200 on their credit just to show off.

Jackie Newton of Chiltern Debt Management says: “We welcome any initiative aimed at focussing people’s attention on the problems of and reasons for debt.”

“Debt is a serious issue that affects millions of people throughout the UK. People need to take greater responsibility for their finances and always think before they spend. Meanwhile, we’d call on lenders to be more responsible in how much and to who they lend money.”