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More than 4 million fear they`ll be made redundant Consumers took on more mortgage debt in July Debts called in by parents Teenagers `scared of debt` Rising household costs could pressure people in debt Pensions debt may impact workers` retirement funds Welsh young adults `at highest risk of debt problems` Over 50s can`t afford to enjoy retirement because of debts Budget: tackling the nation`s debt Short-term debt: `no need for price control` The cost of clearing debt Education debt Tackling the national debt Number of mortgage deals on offer exceeds 3,000 Almost 5 million take on debt to pay household bills OECD: household debt more than 120% of disposable income Petrol price falls help people in debt Amount of mortgage debt taken on at lowest level in ten years Northern Ireland sees significant IVA rise Overdraft debt `becoming more expensive`

Consumers `£820 million in debt to energy providers`

13/03/2009

In total, UK households are around £820 million in debt to their energy suppliers, according to new research by uSwitch.

It seems 6.5 million households (around 25% of the UK`s total) owe money to their energy providers - and 52% of them now owe more than they did this time last year. The average debt is now £126, which is 11% higher than it was last year.

Last year, the research reveals, energy prices went up by 42%, but 30% of households have only just had their direct debits increased.

"Being in arrears is never pleasant," said a spokesperson for Debt Advisers Direct, "especially when the billpayer was under the impression that they were staying on top of their payments.

"It means that future bills will be even higher, which increases the chance of them running into debt problems as they struggle to pay off their arrears as well as staying on top of their ongoing payments."

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Debt Advisers Direct offer free debt advice and a range of debt solutions, including debt management plans, debt consolidation loans and IVAs (Individual Voluntary Arrangements).

More than 4 million fear they`ll be made redundant 16/12/2010 - According to R3`s quarterly personal debt tracker, more than 4 Consumers took on more mortgage debt in July 26/08/2010 - Consumers took on £2bn more mortgage debt than they repaid Debts called in by parents 26/08/2010 - According to research, `the bank of Mum and Dad` is Teenagers `scared of debt` 19/08/2010 - Nearly two thirds of teenagers are `scared` of debt, according