Archived News & Related Stories

Equifax: Demand for credit reports up by 9.6%
Equifax has reported an increase of nearly 10% in requests for its credit reports for the first quarter of 2009, compared with the same period in 2008. ... >>

People with debt problems `should seek help quickly`
Consumers who find themselves experiencing debt problems should not delay seeking help, an expert has said.... >>

Charity issues mortgage warning
A housing charity has issued a warning concerning a potential wave of mortgage arrears and home repossessions.... >>

Paying off debt is sensible, expert says
People are wise to use the current period of low interest rates to reduce their debts, an expert has suggested.... >>

`Carbon capture` tax could raise energy costs
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has said that four new `carbon capture and storage` trials would eventually add 2% to electricity bills in the form of a new tax on electricity suppliers, The Telegraph reports. ... >>

Retail sales fall in May
According to The Office for National Statistics (ONS), retail sales volumes in May were 0.6% lower than in April and 1.6% lower than in May 2008, the BBC reports. ... >>

Unemployment hits 12-year high
The latest unemployment figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown that unemployment reached its highest level in 12 years in the first quarter of 2009. ... >>

Youngsters give up dreams of homeownership
A study of 2,000 people by The Chartered Institute for Housing (CIH) suggests that just 37% of 18-24 year olds questioned think owning a home is right for them. ... >>

Inflation falls to 2.2%
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown that annual inflation fell in May to 2.2%, down from 2.3% in April. ... >>

Fuel poverty tax plan could help elderly avoid debt
A committee of MPs has suggested that winter fuel payments should not be paid to higher-rate taxpayers, and the money saved should be spent on helping the `fuel poor`, according to the BBC. ... >>

Graduates struggle to find work and clear debts
According to figures compiled for The Guardian, 40,000 graduates will still be struggling to find work in six months` time. ... >>

Debt prevents two in five from saving
Recent research by Scottish Widows suggests that 85% of Britons say they have no money to save, up from 50% in 2008. ... >>

20% of workers `have used savings to pay debts`
An international survey has suggested that 20% of the world`s workers have used some of their savings to pay down debt, according to The Guardian, while 13% have stopped saving entirely. ... >>

Demand for bankruptcy and debt advice `has risen`
The number of enquiries received by Citizens Advice concerning debt and bankruptcy is on the rise, according to new figures.... >>

Rising credit card rates increase debt risk
New research has shown that the average credit card purchase rate has been gradually rising over the past two years, despite a series of base rate cuts. ... >>

Different kinds of debt
According to recent data from the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA), borrowing (from its members) through unsecured loans was down 37% in March 2009, compared with the previous March, while secured loans (borrowing against equity in property) were down 76%. ... >>

Debt advisers busy as debt & unemployment rise
Debt advisers are being called on to help high numbers of people as debt levels and unemployment figures continue to rise, according to The Birmingham Post. ... >>

Avoiding debt: 10% buying second-hand cars
According to Sainsbury`s Finance, around 4.5 million people (10% of adults) in Great Britain plan to buy second-hand cars in the six months leading up to the end of August this year. ... >>

Energy billpayers could avoid debt by switching online
uSwitch.com has claimed that only a small proportion of energy customers are benefiting from the cheapest deals, which are usually only offered online. ... >>

Consumer confidence reaches six-month high
Consumer confidence has risen once again and is now at a six-month high, according to Nationwide Building Society. ... >>

Summer `a time for debt management`
Debt management efforts could be easier during the summer months, as National Savings and Investments (NS&I) notes consumers have more control over their money.... >>

Households `are looking to debt management`
Debt management is becoming more of a priority for households due to the low interest rates available on savings, it has been suggested.... >>

Holiday budgets `hit by debt management efforts`
A renewed focus on debt management and careful spending is reducing the amount Brits have to spend on holiday, according to figures from Tesco Personal Finance.... >>