New report reveals only 4 in 10 keeping up with bills
27 October 2010
A report released this month by the Consumer Council has revealed the extent of the financial problem facing Northern Ireland consumers, documenting that only 4 in 10 of respondents in a recent research study are keeping up with bills and credit without difficulty.
Other interesting information to come out of the report includes:
- Over half (52%) of consumers are worried about being able to make ends meet.
- Roughly two thirds (64%) of consumers are worried about being able to make ends meet in the future.
- The emergence of a new group of vulnerable consumers, aged 25-34, who are having problems keeping up with their finances.
Commenting on the research results, Antoinette McKeown, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council said: “2010 has been a tough year for Northern Ireland consumers: redundancies and rising unemployment, price increases for food, energy and fuel have all impacted on the daily lives of consumers. Our research has shown that consumers are struggling to make ends meet with two thirds of consumers here worrying about how they will cope in the future.
In our experience at Advice4debtNI, the current level of uptake of our service would corroborate the evidence held within this report.
Should you be struggling in maintaining your household bills and/or the meeting of the required monthly payments to your creditors, please contact Advice4debtNI, free and confidentially on 0800 917 4607.
