UK Household debt on the rise £1500 a year worse off
UK household debt – The £1,500 a year bombshell
The increase in household debt is set to continue with the prediction that families will be £1,500 a year worse off for the next five years, thanks to the higher taxes and reduced benefits as a result of the Government’s austerity drive. The International Monetary Fund made the warning as part of its comprehensive review of the state of the British economy, saying that between them families would have £35 billion less disposable income due to the Governments plan for deficit reduction.
The gloomy prediction comes as tensions are beginning to be exposed between senior figures in the Government over its economic strategy. Chancellor George Osborne has come under pressure from Prime Minister David Cameron to develop new ways to stimulate the economy despite the Chancellor insisting there is no alternative to their current policy.
Interest rate threat
A background of falling wages, job losses and low growth have also led to the increase in household debt, which remains a threat to economic recovery in the UK. The IMF warned that the Bank of England would have to raise interest rates ‘gradually’ because of the ‘potentially large effects of higher interest rates on growth.’ The report added: “With household debt levels still elevated by historical standards, rapid interest rate hikes could also cut directly into households’ disposable income.”
The troubling rise in household debt was recently brought up by Treasury Select Committee member Chuka Umunna, who noticed a worrying trend in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s projections. Last year they predicted household debt in 2014 to be £1718bn and government debt to be £1294, whereas they now think household debt in 2014 will be £1963 and government debt £1251. This means they predict that while government debt will be reduced by £43bn, household debt will rise by £245bn.
Private vs public debt
The New York Times Paul Krugman commented on the increase in household debt in his blog, writing: ‘Because the only way the economy can avoid taking a hit from government cuts is if private spending rises to fill the gap and…the only way that can happen is if people take on more debt. So we have the spectacle of a government that inveighs against the evils of debt pinning all its hopes on an assumption that over-indebted households will dig their hole even deeper.’
It’s clear that economic pressures are going to fuel this rise in private debt, which makes it all the more crucial for those suffering with debt problems to take action now to stop their debt growing out of control in the coming years. There are many debt solutions available to consumers seeking some kind of debt management arrangements that can reduce people’s monthly payments and remove the risk of bailiffs calling. One government initiative is the Individual Voluntary Agreement or IVA, which has the potential of writing off a large proportion of consumers’ debt, as well as allowing them to avoid bankruptcy and, if they’re homeowners, preventing them from losing their property. The key message is that if you have debt worries don’t ignore the problem – seek help to ensure that your debt does not become unmanageable.
Thre are many sources online that can help you with any personal bankruptcy issues.