Money Statistics: March 2020

31st March 2020 Consumer Collections |

Here is an overview of The Money Charity’s latest statistics for March 2020 Personal debt in the UK People in the UK owed £1,680 billion at the end of January 2020. The average total debt per household, including mortgages, was £60,363 and per adult was £31,845, around 112% of average earnings. Net mortgage lending rose…

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UK recession predicted as demand drops

27th March 2020 Commercial Credit Management |

Dun & Bradstreet has published its country insight report into the United Kingdom, which looks at the adverse effects of the coronavirus on the country’s business environment. The report has downgraded the UK’s country risk rating by two quartiles to DB3b (a new all-time low) as the coronavirus pandemic continues to adversely impact opportunities for…

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Government announces self-employed income support – industry reaction

27th March 2020 Regulation and Compliance |

The Government has announced a raft of new measures for self-employed workers. These included: Self-employed people will be able to apply for a grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits over the last three years, up to £2,500 a month. At least half their income needs to have come from self-employment as registered on…

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Government urged to extend wage support for self-employed

24th March 2020 Consumer Collections |

The TUC has called on the government to provide urgent aid to Britain’s five million self-employed workers. A new report published today says the current measures in place for self-employed workers are “inadequate” with many facing severe hardship over the coming months. The report calls on ministers to extend the wage subsidy scheme announced on…

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FCA sets out new emergency guidance for mortgage providers

20th March 2020 Consumer Collections |

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published new guidance for mortgage lenders and administrators and small business lenders. This supports the announcements made by the Chancellor earlier this week. The new mortgage guidance makes clear that firms should grant customers a payment holiday for an initial period of 3 months, where they may experience payment…

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Interest rates cut to record low – reaction

20th March 2020 Consumer Collections |

The Bank of England has cut interest rates again in an emergency move as it tries to support the UK economy in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. It is the second cut in interest rates in just over a week, bringing them down to 0.1% from 0.25%. Interest rates are now at the lowest…

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Repossessions put on hold for three months

19th March 2020 Consumer Collections |

Further to the Chancellor’s announcement regarding the mortgage industry’s support for homeowners who are experiencing financial issues due to COVID-19, lenders representing banks, building societies and other specialist lenders have come together to announce additional support for homeowners and residential landlords. In a joint announcement UK Finance and the Building Society Association (BSA) said that…

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Government announces rental eviction protection legislation

19th March 2020 Consumer Collections |

The government has announced a radical package of measures to protect renters and landlords affected by coronavirus. As a result, no renter in either social or private accommodation will be forced out of their home during this difficult time. Emergency legislation will be taken forward as an urgent priority so that landlords will not be…

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Government ‘whatever it takes’ coronavirus pledge – industry reaction

18th March 2020 Industry opinion |

The government has pledged to do “whatever it takes” to support a greater number of British businesses and individuals as the coronavirus outbreak causes major economic disruption. In an announcement Chancellor Rishi Sunak said government would “stand behind businesses small and large”, pledging government-backed and guaranteed loans “to get through this” as he announced the…

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FCA publishes Coronavirus information for firms

17th March 2020 Consumer Collections |

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published information for firms on Coronavirus (Covid-19) In a statement, The FCA said that it stands ready to take any steps necessary to ensure customers are protected and markets continue to function well. We are working closely with the Government, the Bank of England, the Payment Systems Regulator and…

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Football League clubs could face insolvency crisis

16th March 2020 Commercial Credit Management |

The ban on football fixtures, due to Covid-19, could cause an insolvency crisis which will hit Football League clubs hard, warn experts at Begbies Traynor. Paul Stanley, regional managing partner for Begbies Traynor in Manchester, said “Cashflow through the turnstiles is what keeps football clubs afloat. It’s the pies, pints and programmes sold at the…

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SPRING BUDGET 2020: Consumer credit reaction

11th March 2020 Consumer Collections |

The Spring Budget, and the Bank of England interest rate cut and liquidity support, will provide some direct and indirect support during the uncertain period ahead according to StepChange. The debt charity says that it is almost inevitable that demand for debt advice is set to increase – and that the structural problems exposed by…

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Bank of England cuts interest rate as Covid-19 economic shocks take hold

11th March 2020 Consumer Collections |

The Bank of England has announced a number of measures to respond to the economic shock from Covid-19. In a statement, the Bank of England’s said that its role is to help UK businesses and households manage through an economic shock that could prove sharp and large, but should be temporary. The Bank’s three policy…

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