As many predicted, after the Christmas period there has been a surge in callers seeking
debt advice in the UK.
There's usually a rush of callers with debt problems after the festive break. Sometimes people delay seeking debt advice until after the holiday; others simply overspend and can't afford the credit card bill when it arrives.
This year, the number of people looking for debt help and advice has broken previous records. One agency reported 12,000 callers in the fortnight after the holiday – the busiest period since they started in 1987.
Many retailers reported a slow-down in sales in the run-up to Christmas. It was suggested that people were reluctant to use their credit cards or increase their bank overdraft. While there was a last minute boom in sales, it's clear that many people were trying to save a little this year, preferring essential items for presents, such as clothes.
Indeed, we reported in the Debtsolver blog that the
rate of demand for consumer credit fell to 10% in November - its lowest level since 1994.
So why is there such a flood of people seeking debt help?
Part of the reason may be a growing awareness that there is help available for anyone facing a debt crisis. People realise they can get help; either in the form of debt consolidation, whereby their loans are consolidated into a single monthly payment, or they can look to taking out an IVA (individual voluntary arrangement) where they renegotiate their debts with their various creditors.
Personal debt levels are still at an historic high, but there's some evidence that people in the UK are starting to manage their debts better, both by cutting back on their borrowing, and by showing a greater willingness to get professional debt advice.
