Money Statistics: November 2018

22nd November 2018 Consumer Collections |

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…

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Indesser appoints new Chair

14th November 2018 Consumer Collections |

Indesser, 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…

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CIVEA responds to charities call for action on bailiff regulation

13th November 2018 Consumer Collections |

Rule-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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Hidden housing problems caused by debt revealed

13th November 2018 Consumer Collections |

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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Call for enhanced regulation despite a drop in personal insolvencies

30th October 2018 Consumer Collections |

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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AUTUMN BUDGET 2018: No-Interest loan scheme and breathing space plans welcomed

30th October 2018 Consumer Collections |

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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Bristow & Sutor forms advisory panel

30th October 2018 Enforcement |

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…

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Money Statistics: October 2018

23rd October 2018 Consumer Collections |

Here 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…

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Call for community service to replace imprisonment over council tax avoidance

22nd October 2018 Consumer Collections |

Community 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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Seven million people admit to losing track of their finances

17th October 2018 Consumer Collections |

New research from NS&I has revealed that 14% of Britons (7 million people) think they may have lost track of a financial product, highlighting the staggering amount of money left dormant with UK financial services providers. And it’s not just savings accounts, with a fifth (20%) admitting there is a possibility that they have lost…

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Quarter of customers happy to share personal debt data

9th October 2018 Consumer Collections |

More than a quarter of UK consumers would be happy for service providers to share their personal data with other suppliers or third parties, according to new research. The findings were reported in a study completed by outsourced customer contact specialist Echo Managed Services. The company surveyed 1,000 UK residents on their knowledge and attitudes to debt and asked…

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Over 1.5m UK renters at risk of losing deposits

2nd October 2018 Consumer Collections |

Over 1.5 million renters across the UK could be at risk of losing their deposits after new research from comparethemarket.comreveals that one third (33%) of renters know that their landlord has not placed their money into a Government-backed deposit protection scheme (DPS). Despite the legal obligation which requires landlords to put deposits into schemes such…

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Engie announces local authority white-label energy partnership

26th September 2018 Consumer Collections |

Energy services group, Engie has signed its first energy white-label contract with a local authority to supply householders across the north-west of England. In the new offer launching today, residents in the Cheshire West and Chester region will benefit from a new local energy platform called Qwest Energy. The new proposition sees Engie become the…

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