CCCS advises those in arrears

Speaking on BBC Two’s Working Lunch, the CCCS’ founder, Malcolm Hurlston, urged people to first of all add up their total debt so as to know the situation they stand in.

“Once you’ve done that, the next thing to do is to tell your partner,” he stated.

Finally, he stressed mortgage repayments: “Paying off your mortgage is a priority. You should never ever pay off your credit card and unsecured debt rather than pay off your mortgage, even if you’re being pressed very hard.”

Missing mortgage repayments can lead to repossession, but Citizens Advice found this week that 777,000 people have missed at least one repayment in the past year.

Mr Hurlston said that people often have poor debt management so do not know their financial situation, but help is available.