Debt advice agencies "must not be last resort", says FSCP chief
Debt advice agencies "must not be last resort", says FSCP chief
- Tuesday, 7 July 2009Nearly half of people facing mortgage difficulties confessed to not seeking advice to help deal with their problems, according to new figures from the Financial Services Consumer Panel (FSCP).
In a speech to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), chairman of the FSCP Adam Phillips, said that 41 per cent of people did not seek help when in financial difficulties, despite seven out of eight believing their problems to be serious.
Mr Phillips said: "When people get into difficulty with their mortgages, they need constructive help and advice on the best way forward.
"We need to do much more to encourage consumers in difficulty to get advice early.
debt advice agencies must not be seen as a last resort when all else has failed."
The FSCP has said that the "most significant driver" for people not seeking
debt advice when they most need it, is due to "perceptions of the sector".

Recent Debt Management Plan News
56% of Brits have no life insurance which could leave family with debt problems
Wed, 04 May 2011More than half of UK adults currently have no life insurance cover, which could mean their loved ones are left with
debt problems when they die...
Brits thinking about retirement advised to seek debt advice
Tue, 03 May 2011Consumers considering their retirement options have been advised to seek professional advice, as they may end up with
debt problems in the future...
Brits planning to attend a wedding should start saving to avoid debt problems
Thu, 28 Apr 2011Consumers concerned about getting into
credit card debt to pay to attend a wedding may want to use their savings instead...
Couples planning their big day can avoid debt problems by negotiating a cheap wedding
Wed, 27 Apr 2011Couples-to-be worried about needing
debt advice in the future after paying for a wedding can ensure they avoid accruing
debt problems by negotiating a cheap wedding...