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Debt News (March 2024)

 

Monthly Debt News looks at debts and the causes of debts in Britain to simplify the debt sector for all.

This month’s Debt News includes the closing of the British Gas Individual and Families Fund, a call for Social Tariff by Scotland,  parents fined for taking children out of school,  three-quarters of court fines unpaid by criminals, UK credit card complaints record high and Newcastle co-owner in court for bankruptcy. And finally, bitesize stats to get an overview of the causes of debt. You can also catch up with monthly Debt Talk podcasts.

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The exact date £2,000 energy grants from the UK’s biggest supplier will END – how to get the ‘lifeline’ bill help now


The British Gas Individual and Families fund will end for some people in just days. The fund was first set up in 2021 to help households struggling with energy debt.


More here: Link 

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Scotland calls for UK-wide social energy tariff

Scotland’s national advice service advocates for a UK-wide social energy tariff to help alleviate fuel poverty by addressing the shortcomings of the current energy market


More here: Link


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Fines for parents for taking children out of school: What you need to know. 

Every moment in school counts and days missed add up quickly. Evidence shows that pupils who have good attendance enjoy better wellbeing and school performance than those who don't.

More here: Link


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Criminals owe £1billion in unpaid fines as crooks' debt doubles in last six years


Last year the courts handed out almost £500million in fines but three-quarters of it has yet to be repaid, leading to fears criminals are being given a licence to break the law


More here: Link

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UK credit card complaints hit a record high

Credit card complaints in the UK have hit an all-time high as consumers rail against what they see as excessively high credit limits and interest rates. Data published by the Financial Ombudsman Service, an independent public body, on Friday showed that 5,660 complaints about credit cards were lodged from October to December last year, a 76 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2022.


More here: Link


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Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley challenges £36m bankruptcy petition in court


Ms Staveley, who headed the Saudi-backed consortium that took over the football club in 2021, asked the Insolvency and Companies Court to set aside a demand served by Greek businessman Victor Restis


More here: link


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 ((Feb 2024) - Debt Talk: Council finance, tax & debt recovery (Podcast)


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Bite Size  stats:

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Private renters on a median household income could expect to spend 26% of their income on a median-priced rented home in England, compared with 23% in Wales and 25% in Northern Ireland, in the financial year ending March 2022 (ONS)


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Fraudsters stole £580 million from British consumers and businesses in the first six months of 2023 (UK Finance)


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(Jan 2024) - Debt Talk: Gambling & Debt (Podcast)


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THE END


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