UK families trapped in ‘debt noose’

According to the charity’s report, the typical UK household is currently using almost a quarter (24%) of its income to pay off ‘interest burden’ after paying off its regular bills.

The report also warned that families across the UK are struggling to keep up with debt repayments due to low wage growth, soaring fuel costs, high inflation, deteriorating employment conditions and a pay freeze for many public sector workers.

Moreover, it revealed a sharp rise in mortgage debt as house prices have increased, from £20,000 per household in the early 2000s to over £47,000 by December 2011.

Highlighting a rising demand for debt advice from professionals aged between 45 and 59, the report warned that older people will be most affected by debt problems.

“There has been a gradual rise in counselling demand from this group, with its share rising from 22.8% in 2005 to 31.7% by (the end of) 2011,” the report said. Demand for debt advice will peak in 2014, indicating the “lasting distress caused by the financial crisis,” states the report.

Furthermore, Una Farrell from the CCCS said, “The outlook for personal debt in the UK is grim. Families up and down the country are being strangled by high inflation, wage freezes and unemployment.”

SSM/HE

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