Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
Stafford Borough Council is set to write-off business rate and tax debts worth more than £77,000. The authority’s cabinet agreed to write off eight cases at a meeting last Thursday. A cabinet report said that there were five council tax cases totalling £22,037.64 and three business rate cases totalling £55,027. Councillor Ken Williamson, cabinet member for…
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Here is an overview of The Money Charity’s latest statistics for December 2018: Personal debt in the UK People in the UK owed £1.613 trillion at the end of October 2018. This is up from £1.564 trillion at the end of October 2017, an extra £928.44 per UK adult and £142.69 higher than the previous month. The average…
Read moreThe Money Advice Service (MAS) has launched new guidance which they say will assist Local Authorities to take a more progressive approach to the recovery of Council Tax, encouraging improved resident engagement, fairer outcomes and sustainable arrears repayments. Across the UK, the number of overindebted people is approximately 8.3 million. Furthermore, a third of people…
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More than 80 percent of North Ayrshire Council tenants on Universal Credit are in rent arrears. Responding to the news the local authority’s leader has branded the welfare policy a ‘tragedy’. Labour Council Leader Joe Cullinane said Universal Credit was pushing families into debt, which could lead to a sharp rise in poverty, hardship and anxiety. Since…
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Here is an overview of The Money Charity’s latest statistics for November 2018: Personal debt in the UK People in the UK owed £1.605 trillion at the end of September 2018. This is up from £1.560 trillion at the end of September 2017, an extra £870.78 per UK adult and £76.54 higher than the previous month. The average total…
Read moreIndesser, a joint venture between TDX Group (an Equifax company) and the Cabinet Office to support debt management, has announced Andy Briscoe as its new independent Chair. Briscoe brings a wealth of expertise to the role, with more than 30 years’ experience in financial services, insurance, and healthcare, including at Centrica and Bupa. He will…
Read moreRule-breaking bailiffs are causing people increased stress, anxiety and financial hardship, according to new research published today by Citizens Advice and StepChange. The charities are calling for the government to step in and regulate the industry to prevent more people suffering at the hands of debt collectors who flout the rules. New figures reveal that…
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A new survey of StepChange Debt Charity clients shows the hidden housing problems caused by debt, particularly in the private rented sector. StepChange says these are so complex that the government should review the suitability of the private rented sector for housing vulnerable people. The charity is particularly worried about the position of clients in…
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The Insolvency Service has published the latest personal insolvency statistics for Q3 (July to September 2018) for England and Wales. The statistics show that total personal insolvencies fell by11% from a six-year high in Q2 2018 and are 2% lower than in the same quarter in 2017. This was driven by a decrease in individual voluntary…
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The Government has that it will introduce a No-Interest loan scheme and breathing space plans as part of the Autumn budget announcement. Responding to the news The Money Advice says it ‘welcomes action’ on tackling problem debt, including the new details of the government’s Breathing Space scheme, plans to pilot a no-interest loans initiative and…
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Enforcement agency Bristow & Sutor (B&S) has announced the formation of a new Independent Advisory Panel, to be chaired by Anthony Sharp of Anthony Sharp Associates. The industry-wide consultancy has been launched to discuss all matters relating to credit and debt collection. The new Panel consists of experienced individuals drawn from the debt advice, regulatory and creditor sectors…
Read moreHere is an overview of The Money Charity’s latest statistics for October 2018: Personal debt in the UK People in the UK owed £1.5987 trillion at the end of August 2018. This is up from £1.5544 trillion at the end of August 2017, an extra £849.91 per UK adult and £66.96 higher than the previous month. The average…
Read moreCommunity service should replace the sanction of imprisonment for non-payment of Council Tax, according to the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA). The industry proposal is in response to a consultation by Financial Secretary, Mark Drakeford AM, which calls for a ban on imprisonment for anyone who does not pay their Council Tax. CIVEA, which represents the…
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