This month’s Debt News looks at how the debt collection sector embraces modern technology to recover debts, poor practice in the Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) sector according to the Insolvency Service, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) unfairly penalises low-income individuals for alleged no tax returns, this quarter of the year is the highest quarter for recovery of fuel debts according to the regulator Office of Gas and Electricity Market (Ofgem), one in three retirees in debt, and a single mother explains that universal credit is not enough to survive. Finally, you can find a snapshot of national data that looks at the causes of debts in the UK and listen to the most recent episodes of Debt Talk podcasts.
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Embracing the Future: Debt Collection Trends in the UK 2025
In 2025, debt collection is expected to undergo significant changes due to advancements in technology and shifts in consumer behaviour. With the rise of digital payments and e-commerce, traditional debt collection methods such as phone calls and letters will become less effective.
Debt collectors will have to adapt to new channels such as social media and messaging apps to communicate with debtors. Another trend that is expected to emerge is the use of AI and automation in debt collection processes, making them more efficient and cost-effective. This will also lead to a more personalised approach, as AI algorithms can analyse debtor behaviour and tailor collection strategies accordingly.
More here: Link
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Insolvency Service investigation highlights poor practice in the IVA market
Latest research commissioned by the Insolvency Service has shown evidence of poor practice among providers of Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVA).
Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) are a legally binding agreement between a person who is insolvent and their creditors. They are administered by licensed Insolvency Practitioners, usually last for between five and six years, and give people the opportunity to pay an affordable monthly contribution towards their debts.
More here: Link
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Thousands are fined by HMRC even though they don’t owe any UK tax
Tens of thousands of people who earn too little to pay tax are still receiving hundreds of pounds in fines for failing to file a tax return on time, according to new data seen by the Observer.
More than 83,000 people earning less than the threshold were issued with a £100 penalty by the tax authorities in 2021-22. Only 17,000 of those fines were later cancelled on appeal. By contrast, only 20,000 people earning £100,000 or more were penalised.
More here: Link
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UK energy debt reaches £3.7bn
Britain's energy regulator has reported that consumer energy debt has surged to £3.7 billion, marking a 12% increase from the previous quarter
Ofgem has announced that consumer energy debt in the UK has reached £3.7 billion, a significant increase of £400 million from the previous quarter.
More here: Link
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One in three retirees are in debt - and owe an average of £17,000
A third of retired people have debts to repay, according to a study, with each person owing an average of £17,000. This means that around 3.3million retired people are in debt, with a combined outstanding balance of £ 58 billion.
That could include credit cards, loans, car finance and increasingly mortgages, as rising costs mean a growing number of people fail to pay off their home loan by retirement.
More here: Link
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Universal credit is not enough for single parents like me – I'm relying on food banks to survive
Sonia Gowland has worked all her life – but now she’s a single mother and training to be a nurse, she has to claim universal credit to feed her family. It is not enough. She relies on her local food bank to survive.
More here: Link
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(Jul 2024) - Debt Talk: Pensioner & Winter Payment (podcast)
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Bite Size stats:
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In October 2022, the Government launched the Energy Price Guarantee to support households with energy costs. Despite government intervention, one third (33%) of StepChange clients were in arrears with their energy bills, compared to 29% in 2021 (StepChange)
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Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals amounted to £2.9 billion in August, compared to £2.8 billion in July. The annual growth rate for net mortgage lending rose for the sixth consecutive month, from 0.6% in July to 0.7% in August, the highest since August 2023 (1.0%). Gross lending saw an increase of £0.3 billion to £19.9 billion in August, while gross repayments increased by £1.3 billion over the same period, to £18.4 billion.( Bank of England)
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Net consumer credit borrowing increased slightly to £1.3 billion in August, from £1.2 billion in July (Chart 2). This was driven by higher net borrowing through other forms of consumer credit (such as car dealership finance and personal loans), which rose from £0.7 billion in July to £0.8 billion in August, while net borrowing through credit cards was little changed at £0.5 billion in August. (Bank of England)
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(April 2024) - Debt Talk: Indebted with buy now pay later (Podcast)
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