Renters worst affected by debt

The charity said renters have been affected most severely by the economic downturn while rising rents have resulted in more people falling behind on their payments.

A total of 10,246 renters contacting CCCS for help in 2011 were in arrears - an increase of 30% in three years.

Renters in arrears to private landlords were in the worst position owing £924 in unpaid rent.

Social tenants owed £705 in arrears to housing associations and £622 for local authority tenants.

On average social renters have a monthly budget deficit of £145.

The CCCS also said almost half of clients wait more than a year before seeking advice on dealing with their debts, thus compounding their problems.

CCCS chairman Lord Stevenson said: "We need to do more to help those in our society who need debt advice and solutions.

“We call on the Money Advice Service to do more to ensure that people struggling with their household finances are made aware of the free advice and support available from charities like ours."

Consumer Affairs Minister Norman Lamb said: "The yearbook shows that unmanageable debt is rising in all parts of society.

“It reminds us how vitally important it is to understand the needs of those who seek help, so that we can give them the right kind of help.

"We want people to be better informed and able to make good financial choices, taking back control of their money.”

The CCCS also said households are working hard to cut spending and reduce their debts, but are swimming against a tide of falling real incomes and the high cost of living.

People contacting CCCS for help in 2011 both owed less and spent less on everyday living than in previous years.

On average, clients owed £20,023 in unsecured debt (down from £22,476 in 2010) and had monthly living costs of £1,369 (down from £1,410 in 2010).

The average client in 2011 had just £44 left over after meeting their basic living costs each month - barely unchanged from £43 in 2010.

Youth unemployment has emerged as a key concern, with 42% of CCCS clients under the age of 25 out of work compared with 27% of all clients.

This has led to a sharp increase in demand for debt advice among under 25s, with the number of younger debtors in this age group counselled by CCCS increasing by 12% in 2011, to 17,138.

Across all age groups, unemployment remains the key driver of debt problems with 48% attributing joblessness or reduced income from employment as the main cause of their financial difficulty last year.

Demand for debt advice from the over 60s has also increased by 15% in three years - a sign of the shifting age profile of debtors as consumers struggle to pay debts, accrued earlier in life.

The charity predicts that this is the beginning of a long-term trend, forecasting that in two years almost half of its clients will be over 45.

CCCS chairman Lord Stevenson added: "It is good news that our clients are reporting reduced unsecured debts, but stagnating incomes mean that debtors had no more money available to repay what they owe.”