Increase in Personal Insolvencies across the Summer

28th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

The Insolvency has published the latest Insolvency statistics between July & September. The key finding from the statistics was that total individual insolvencies increased for the fifth consecutive quarter, driven primarily by an increase in individual voluntary arrangements. Bankruptcies increased this quarter. It is likely that changes to the bankruptcy application process have affected the…

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Rise in Personal Insolvency numbers expected

28th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

The number of people going insolvent across England and Wales is expected to increase. Experts have suggested the days of falling personal insolvency levels may be coming to an end as consumers grapple with underlying debt problems. Official figures for the third quarter of this year, which will be released by the Insolvency Service, show the…

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Improving the Financial Health of Low Income Groups

26th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

A new CfRC report calls for an expansion of debt advice and financial support services for low paid workers and private tenants. The research (‘Improving the Financial Health of Low Income Groups’), which was supported by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, reviewed how low income households are currently being supported to manage their money, save for the…

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Ofgem safety net protects consumers’ cash

26th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

Ofgem has put in place a new safety net to protect consumers in the unlikely event their supplier goes out of business. The existing “supplier of last resort” regime already guarantees that people will continue to receive their energy supply. Following the consultation which began in June, Ofgem has now taken action to protect customers’ credit…

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Personal insolvencies in Scotland stabilise

26th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

Personal insolvencies in Scotland have remained largely stable for the second quarter of the year, according to the latest figures from Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB). Total personal insolvencies, which include both bankruptcies and protected trust deeds, totalled 2,424 for the second quarter of 2016-17 up to 30 September 2016, a small 0.8% increase on the…

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18 million Brits dread the cost of Christmas

25th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

More than a quarter of Brits (28%) admit to dreading the cost of Christmas, according to Debt Advisory Centre. As the most expensive time of year approaches, 18 million people say that they dread Christmas due to the cost. Young people (aged 18-24), are the most likely to dread Christmas with more than 1 in 3…

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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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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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