Public officers preparing for the new school year are facing disrupted access to credit after the government temporarily halted salary deduction authorisations, prompting concern over how families will meet back-to-school and other essential expenses, the Democratic Labour Party has said.

The criticism follows last week’s directive from Accountant General Ingrid Blunt instructing permanent secretaries and heads of departments to temporarily suspend the signing of salary deduction authorisation forms while legal advice is sought on the use of the documents. The directive affects repayments to nine third-party lending companies.

The National Union of Public Workers has since said it is investigating the suspension before advising its members on the implications of the decision.