Over one in ten ‘very concerned’ about debts

The number of adults who are very concerned about their ability to manage their debts has risen to over one in every ten people who owe money, new research from MoneyExpert.com reveals.

The independent financial comparison website says that amounts to as many as 3.4 million people who might not be able to keep on top of their borrowing.

And the proportion of people claiming to be ‘very concerned’ about the money they owe has risen from 7 per cent three months ago to 11 per cent now.

The MoneyExpert.com Debt Index measures how well people with personal debt – including mortgages, loans and credit cards – are coping with their borrowing and monitors whether levels of indebtedness are rising or falling.

The latest figures show around one in four adults with debts have increased their borrowing in the past three months as people continue to feel the pinch of recent interest rate rises. Some 2.7 million people (9%) claim to have gone further into debt by over 10 per cent.

However the number of people who are either unconcerned or very unconcerned about being in debt remained broadly the same – around 12.7 million people (41%) are not worried about their ability to cope despite being in debt.

And while 26 per cent of people with debts have increased the amount they have borrowed over the past three months, a similar proportion (27%) has successfully cut the amounts they owe. Over two million people (7%) with debts reduced their borrowing by over 20 per cent, the MoneyExpert.com figures show.

Sean Gardner, Chief Executive of MoneyExpert.com, said: “Over three million people are very concerned about keeping on top of their debts – a figure that has risen significantly in only three months.

“And with the festive season just around the corner, we can only predict that the number of people worried about their ability to deal with their debts is likely to increase. Christmas is a massively expensive time of year so you can’t help but worry that many more are likely to become increasingly concerned about how they’ll cope.

“On the plus side many people have found ways to reduce their borrowing, with some making significant dents into their debts. So while it’s crucial that those in need receive help, it’s worth pointing out that there are lots of people who have their debts well under control.

“Anyone who is worried that they are struggling to keep on top of their debts is heading for serious trouble if they do not take action now. It’s not too late to sort out your problems before Christmas arrives.

“There are many ways for people to get their finances under control. Whether you need to consolidate your debts with a loan or just juggle your borrowing onto cheaper products, the important thing is to work out a repayment plan and not bury your head in the sand.”