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Press Release

Four in ten expect their finances to worsen

24 February 2011

Over forty percent of people (43%) believe that their financial situation will worsen over the next six months, according to a quarterly survey by R3, the insolvency trade body - an increase of 13 percent on the last quarter. Incidentally, less than a quarter of people (24%) believe that their financial situation will improve in the same period.

R3 President, Steven Law commented:

"Since we last carried out the survey, people have seen a rise in the cost of living, from the VAT increase; to the rise of fuel and utility costs. This has happened against a backdrop of pay freezes, pay cuts and, in some cases, redundancies, so it is understandable that many are feeling pessimistic about their financial outlook."

The research shows that the number of people who are worried about their current level of debt has increased by 6 percent in the last quarter, with close to half (45%) now concerned about the amount of debt they owe. Credit card debt continues to be the main source of worry, with more than half (56%) expressing concern.

Research finds that younger people are more likely to worry about their debts. Those aged 25-34 are the most likely to be worried about their debts at 57%; meanwhile just 20% of those aged 65 and over are concerned about their debts - making them the least likely to be worried.

"In my experience, most people's debts become unmanageable due to a change in circumstance, such as sudden unemployment. This no doubt accounts for the generational split with regards to debt worries. In these uncertain times, for many of those of working age there is a real fear that if they do suddenly lose their job they will struggle to keep up with their debt repayments."



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R3 The Insolvency Trade Body

R3 The Insolvency Trade Body

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