Winter energy bills worry for 35 million

25th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

Over half of the population of the UK, 35 million people, are worried about how they will pay for their heating this winter, according to new research commissioned by Debt Advisory Centre. As the temperatures drop, many households are keen to switch their heating on, but with the average annual gas bill reaching £714 some…

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Northern Ireland debt judgements decrease

25th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

The total number and value of debt judgments in Northern Ireland during the third quarter of the year fell to its lowest level since before the financial crisis, according to figures released today by Registry Trust. The value of debt judgments before courts in the north was £4.5 million in the three months to September…

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Call for fresh approach to debt satisfactions in Scotland

20th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

Only 4% of decrees and judgments relating to debt in Scotland were marked as satisfied in the third quarter of 2016, compared with 15% in England and Wales, according to figures from Registry Trust. Registry Trust is the non-profit organisation which collects judgment information from jurisdictions across the UK, including small claims and summary causes…

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UK households in £100 million debt to energy providers

20th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

According to a new survey commissioned by Gocompare.com Energy, 5% of homeowners are in arrears with their gas or electricity bills, owing suppliers on average £121.20.  The survey also found that only 13% of those struggling to pay their energy bills had contacted their supplier to discuss their situation and ask for help. The report surveyed over 1,280…

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October 2016: Money Statistics

13th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

Here is an overview of The Money Charity’s latest statistics for October 2016: Personal debt in the UK People in the UK owed £1.499 trillion at the end of August 2016. This is up from £1.445 trillion at the end of August 2015 – an extra £995.43 per UK adult. The average total debt per household…

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Overdraft charges adding millions to problem debt

12th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

Spiralling charges on unarranged overdrafts are adding millions of pounds to problem debt and they must be capped by the FCA, says StepChange Debt Charity. New figures from the charity, suggest that almost two thirds of people seeking its help with overdraft debts have regularly exceeded their limit and faced charges of £45 each time…

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New single body to launch to advise public on debt

10th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

The Government has announced that they will be creating a new single public body responsible for delivering advice to consumers on money, debt and pensions. The new service will replace the Money Advice Service (MAS). The government thinks a single advisory body will be more efficient but has yet to decide how the new service will…

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Aphility integrates digital bank verification capability

8th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

Aphility  has introduced a secure, real time, certified digital bank verification capability by integrating DirectID from the online trust company. The IDCo to enable the verification of business and consumer income and expenditure data from UK Banks. This enhancement will enable customers and partners to undertake faster and more accurate affordability assessments and credit decisions delivering…

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Debt problems with high cost credit products increase as payday loans decrease

28th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

More and more people are struggling with debts for guarantor loans and rent to own credit products, Citizens Advice reveals today. The charity says there has been a shift in the high cost credit market as the number of people seeking help for problems with these sub-prime products has risen by 16% over the last year…

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Financial Education report from the Money Charity

26th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

The Money has released research examining financial education in secondary schools. The Key Findings of the report: Financial education is not as effective as it should be. Almost two thirds of teachers tell us financial education in the UK is somewhat or very ineffective. The introduction of financial education to the curriculum achieved little on the…

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Ofgem publishes complaint handling report

23rd September 2016 Consumer Collections |

Customers who make a complaint are less satisfied with how their supplier handles it compared to two years ago, according to Ofgem’s biennial complaints survey. Ofgem commissions a survey every two years which compares how suppliers deal with their domestic and micro-business customers’ complaints. Since complainants were last surveyed in 2014, the total number of…

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Council tax arrears is the biggest debt problem in Wales

22nd September 2016 Consumer Collections |

A new report from Citizens Advice Wales “Fairness for all – Improving council tax debt collection in Wales” highlights the findings of research undertaken to better understand the recent increase in council tax arrears seen over the last few years. Council tax arrears is now the largest debt issue representing 13%t  of all debt issues. Council…

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AiB report shows creditors paid over £80 million

19th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

Over £80 million has been repaid to creditors in the past year, according to the Annual Report and Accounts published by Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB). The Scottish Government Agency also recovered all of its costs through fees and income during the year, ensuring its work had no impact on the public purse during 2015-16. Despite…

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