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Personal insolvency rising twice as fast in England as it is in Scotland.

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    Personal insolvency rising twice as fast in England as it is in Scotland.

    But if GDP is rising surely it's all good news? Keep shopping people!

    Good thing mind people in Scotland continue to receive more per head from them taxpayers down south otherwise debts levels might be rising too.


    More going bust as personal borrowing surges


    More going bust as personal borrowing surges

    By Kevin Peachey Personal finance reporter
    CashPA
    The number of people declared insolvent owing to unmanageable debts was 13% higher in 2016 compared with the previous year, official figures show.

    A total of 90,930 people in England and Wales found themselves in that situation, the Insolvency Service said.

    However, the numbers, although rising, remain well below the peak level of insolvencies reached in 2010.

    The head of the Bank of England warned recently that "vigilance" was needed over rising levels of debt.

    'Tide has turned'

    Insolvencies in England and Wales were lower in 2016 than in any year from 2006 to 2014.

    They also fell towards the end of the year - dropping by 4.3% in the fourth quarter compared with the previous three months.

    In Scotland, which operates under a separate system, personal insolvencies rose by 7.9% in the final three months of the year compared with the previous quarter.

    These insolvencies, which include bankruptcies and protected trust deeds, totalled 2,616, according to Accountant in Bankruptcy - Scotland's insolvency service. Those in debt also have the option of an official debt payment programme, which avoids insolvency.

    The figures come after Bank of England governor Mark Carney warned of a "shift" in the levels of personal unsecured borrowing, which is rising at its fastest rate for a decade.

    Mark Sands, personal insolvency partner at consultancy RSM, said: "In 2015 we saw the lowest levels of personal insolvency in over a decade, but the latest figures for 2016 show that the tide has now turned.

    "Despite record low interest rates and high employment levels during the year, many more people found that they could no longer keep on top of their debts.

    "The Bank of England has recently warned of 'ballooning levels of household debt' which are being driven by historic low rates. This is increasing the risk that some borrowers will bite off more than they can chew. As a result, we expect to see levels of personal insolvency rise throughout 2017."

    Clickable bankruptcy

    There are a number of ways in which someone with out-of-control debts can declare themselves insolvent.

    The rise in insolvencies in 2016 was still primarily the result of Individual Voluntary Arrangements, an official deal - overseen by an insolvency practitioner - that sees steady payments made from an individual to creditors over five years.

    Other options for those with unmanageable debts include bankruptcy. This is regarded as the most recognised form of insolvency by the public, and has just seen the biggest overhaul in its rules for 30 years.

    A new system in England and Wales means bankruptcy applications are made online, without the need to go to court.

    The shift from court to internet, introduced in April, was in part an attempt to eliminate that perceived stigma.

    Read more: Pressing the bankruptcy button
    Consumer borrowing rises
    This pushed up the number of people in debt choosing bankruptcy in the latter half of 2016.

    Bankruptcy and alternatives

    CashPA
    Bankruptcy: The traditional way of escaping overwhelming debt. Ends after one year, but there is a possibility you may lose your assets, including your house, to pay something to the creditors. Since April, applications can be made online and considered by an adjudicator. Costs £680

    Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA): A deal between you and your creditors, overseen by an insolvency practitioner. Less chance of losing your home, but involves paying some of your debts in one go

    Debt Relief Orders: Introduced in April 2009, these allow people with debts of less than £15,000 (£20,000 since October 2015) and minimal assets to write off debts without a full-blown bankruptcy

    Where to go for help

    Where to find free debt advice

    Insolvency service - bankruptcy explained (England and Wales)

    Options for clearing debts - Scotland

    Options for clearing debts - Northern Ireland
    "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark Twain

    #2
    Originally posted by scooterscot View Post

    Good thing mind people in Scotland continue to receive more per head from them taxpayers down south otherwise debts levels might be rising too.
    Yeah. Tell us again about this "unequal society" that you were getting so animated about yesterday.

    “The period of the disintegration of the European Union has begun. And the first vessel to have departed is Britain”

    Comment


      #3
      Completely unequal. More in foreign aid goes to Africa than to Scotland.

      Dig deeper and give Scotland more money, referendums don't fund themselves you ken.
      "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark Twain

      Comment


        #4
        Makes sense really - in the new Ekonomic Model all bankrupts will become coal mine workers until their debts (+8% interest on top of normal Barclays rate) is fully paid off, debts will be inherited by the children.

        HTH

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by scooterscot View Post
          Completely unequal. More in foreign aid goes to Africa than to Scotland.

          Dig deeper and give Scotland more money, referendums don't fund themselves you ken.
          Africa being a continent containing 54 countries rather than one country.
          "You’re just a bad memory who doesn’t know when to go away" JR

          Comment


            #6
            You noticed. Dang.
            "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark Twain

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by scooterscot View Post
              You noticed. Dang.
              There are also more people living in the London metropolitan area than Scotland. This makes London a mega-city.
              "You’re just a bad memory who doesn’t know when to go away" JR

              Comment


                #8
                Which is also mega expensive and mega, cough, smoggy.
                "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark Twain

                Comment

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