Personal debt has increased by a “whopping” £757 million over the past year, new research has found. The figures, compiled by Unbiased.co.uk, revealed that consumer borrowing rose to £5.9 billion in the second quarter of 2008, showing a marked increase…

Although the housing market is showing signs that it is stabilising, restrictions on people’s incomes will continue to create challenges, it has been suggested. Commenting on the Halifax house price index for September, chief economist Martin Ellis said that the…

The practice of suggesting a minimum monthly repayment on a statement can lead to higher credit card debt, it has been claimed. Many credit card customers are influenced by the minimum amount outlined on bills and make lower repayments as…

Eight lenders have increased their unsecured personal loans rates over the past three weeks, new research has found. The study from uSwitch also showed that the number of such loans available fell from 56 to 52 during this period. Black…

Debt is an increasingly significant problem for pre-retirees, it has been claimed. Research from Payplan has found that the average unsecured debts of those aged 50-60 stood at £41,400, 25 per cent higher than the level owed by other age…

The term ‘funt’, or financially untouchable – used to describe a person who is finding it nearly impossible to be approved for credit – has been included in a dictionary expert’s new book, it has been reported. It appears in…

One in three Brits are eating less healthily as a result of the economic downturn, new research has suggested. Christians Against Poverty, a charity that offers debt advice, commissioned YouGov to carry out a study into how the credit crunch…

Channel 4’s Countdown word expert Susie Dent is the author of a new book published by Oxford University Press – “Words of the Year”. The book lists and comments on words and phrases that have started to become widely used…