People worry about debts after holidays, says expert

It is often the case that people start to think about their debt problems after they return from holiday, an expert has said.

Ian Boden-Smyth, Spokesperson for the UK Insolvency Helpline, revealed how the service has had to increase the number of its staff and invest in more technology.

He continued: "I think it is going to be pretty busy in this first quarter of 2010.

"It usually quietens down towards Easter and the school holidays, and then picks up after."

Mr Boden-Smyth said that the UK Insolvency Helpline has received additional funding to help cover the rise in people wanting access to its services.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills recently revealed that its free face-to-face advice for those struggling with debt has helped more people than planned.

UK consumers had £1,459 billion of outstanding debt at November 2009, the latest government statistics show.

Posted by Ruth Bradshaw