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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Ireland: More applying for personal insolvency

19th October 2016 Arrears and Recoveries |

New figures from the Insolvency Service Ireland show that almost 900 people applied to put a formal insolvency arrangement in place with their lenders. The figures were for the three months to the end of September. This was up 102% on the same three months last year. But the number of heavily-indebted people who secured a…

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Funeral debt almost hits £150million

19th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index reveals funeral debt in the UK has risen to £147million as people borrow from friends and family or the ban to fund the last wishes of loved ones. Royal London’s research highlights that the average cost of a funeral in the UK is now £3,675, with 93,359 adults…

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Personal Insolvencies amongst young women continues to outstrip men

17th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

Moore Stephens says that women accounted for 65% of personal insolvencies amongst the under 25s in the last year. Women also accounted for 53% of all personal insolvencies amongst 25 to 34 year olds. Moore Stephens says that the gender pay gap may be partially to blame. Women earn, on average, 18% less than their male…

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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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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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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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‘Whole-society’ approach needed to tackle financial exclusion

16th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

The Money Advice Trust has called for a ‘whole-society’ approach to tackling financial exclusion with a stronger leadership role from Government, in evidence to the House of Lords Financial Exclusion Committee. The Committee, chaired by Baroness Tyler of Enfield, is examining financial exclusion and access to mainstream financial services. The charity has pointed to fundamental issues…

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Ofgem proposes capping prepayment meter charges for indebted consumers

15th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

Ofgem has published proposals to cap charges for installing prepayment meters under warrant. An option in the consultation includes placing a firm limit on charges of £100 or £150. The proposals also include plans to ban prepayment meters warrant installation charges for the most vulnerable customers. When customers fall in debt, one option is for…

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September 2016: Money Statistics

13th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

Here is an overview of The Money Charity’s latest statistics for September 2016: Personal Debt in the UK People in the UK owed £1.496 trillion at the end of July 2016. This is up from £1.444 trillion at the end of July 2015 – an extra £1,028.50 per UK adult. Per adult in the UK that’s…

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Law Commission’s Logbook Loan report released

12th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

The Law Commission has today published it’s report on Bill of Sale announcing a series of recommendations to protect borrowers from ‘unfair’ logbook loans. Logbook loans are a way for borrowers to use their vehicle as security for a loan. Borrowers who fall behind with payments can find their vehicle swiftly repossessed, as well as high…

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Debt problems hit record high

7th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

New Research from StepChange has found that the number of people seeking help with debt problems has hit a record high with those affected increasingly likely to be younger, working part-time and renting their home. The charity’s Statistics Mid-Yearbook, released today, shows that over 300,000 people sought advice from StepChange Debt Charity between January and…

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