StepChange appoints new Chief Executive

4th October 2017 Consumer Collections |

Phil Andrew has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of debt charity StepChange. He will take up the post on November 20th, taking over from Mike O’Connor CBE. Andrew’s most recent role was as Chief Executive of Working Links which provides innovative interventions to disadvantaged and socially-excluded groups within the UK, Ireland and the…

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Universal Credit roll-out will not be paused

3rd October 2017 Consumer Collections |

The DWP has announced that benefit claimants struggling to pay their bills will be able to get cash advances upfront, Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke has said. The government has recognised concerns that people moving on to Universal Credit had to wait six weeks to be paid. The Minister announced he will introduce refreshed…

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Millennials feel that ‘pay as you go lifestyle’ is their only option

2nd October 2017 Consumer Collections |

Research from independent car buying site, carwow, reveals that nine in ten Millennials are renting or leasing modern day essentials such as cars, homes and mobile phones because it’s the only way to afford to them.  Due to soaring living costs, a poll of 2,000 car owners by carwow shows that one in two millennials…

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HSBC tests nudge app to manage spending

29th September 2017 Consumer Collections |

HSBC is testing a new smartphone nudge app which will help people track what they spend money on and sends out spending limits alerts. Customers can add different back accounts from up to 21 money sources and keep track of all their balances in one app. The app is being trialled with 10,000 customers and will…

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CSA supports removal of cost on mental health evidence form

27th September 2017 Consumer Collections |

The Credit Services Association (CSA, has welcomed efforts to remove the cost to the individual for the completion of the Debt and Mental Health Evidence Form (D&MHEF). At a meeting held recently at Number Ten Downing Street, CSA President John Ricketts and Chief Executive Peter Wallwork joined the Minister for Mental Health, Jackie Doyle-Price, and…

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Two-fifths of consumers are “fairly worried” about personal debt levels

27th September 2017 Consumer Collections |

R3 has published its latest UK personal finances statistics which indicated that two-fifths (41%) of British adults are at least fairly worried about their current level of debt, while a similar proportion (40%) say they sometimes or often struggle to make it to payday, says insolvency and restructuring trade body R3. The figures, from the…

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Six in ten families fall short of financial resilience recommendations

27th September 2017 Consumer Collections |

Mounting debt is causing six in ten (59%) ‘Middle Britain’ families to fall short of the recommended level of savings to be financially resilient – leaving them at risk of being hit hard if they were to lose their income, according to new research by leading insurer, LV=. In the final instalment of its ‘Income…

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Industry reaction: RBS delays low rate credit card launch

26th September 2017 Consumer Collections |

RBS has announced its plans to postpone the introduction of cut-price credit cards and the Labour Party has pledged to back legislation limiting the amount of interest that can be charged on credit card debt. Key industry groups have responded to the developments in the consumer credit landscape. Steve McNicholas, Managing Director – Credit and…

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Paragon Group changes name amid restructure

22nd September 2017 Consumer Collections |

The Paragon Group of Companie has announced a strategic reorganisation of the Group to accelerate its transformation into a diversified specialist banking institution. This reorganisation will increase operational and financial efficiency, enhancing engagement and delivery to customers and business partners and will increase the Group’s capacity to meet its ambitious growth plans. As part of…

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Staffordshire Credit Union enters administration

22nd September 2017 Consumer Collections |

Staffordshire Credit Union has gone into administration. The Union has more than a thousand members across the country declared it was now in default and cannot repay deposits to its members. A statement on the company website said: “Unfortunately the Staffordshire Credit Union went into administration on September 18 and has now permanently closed. “The…

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Older borrowers face struggle to get full advice

21st September 2017 Consumer Collections |

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today published an Occasional Paper outlining the findings from a project that explored how the ageing population would impact the Financial Services industry. The FCA launched the Ageing Population Project in February 2016 to explore how older people use financial services and products. The paper reviews the public policy…

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Young people spend 23% of income on housing

21st September 2017 Consumer Collections |

The average share of income that Britain’s families spend on housing has trebled over the last 50 years, with young people having to make do with longer commutes and smaller, insecure rented accommodation, according to a new report published by the Resolution Foundation. The “Home Affront ‘ report by the Resolution Foundation shows that each generation…

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AIB to end paper bankruptcy applications

21st September 2017 Consumer Collections |

Accountant in Bankruptcy(AIB) has announced that paper bankruptcy applications are to end with all debtor applications to move online from September 2017. From 30 September 2017, money advisers and insolvency practitioners working on behalf of debtors will no longer be able to submit bankruptcy applications on paper forms, with the whole process moving online. Not only…

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