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More go to the wall as credit crunch begins to bite

THE credit crunch is claiming ever more Hampshire residents, with the numbers of people declaring themselves bankrupt in the county rising by a quarter.

The latest statistics show a 25 per cent increase in people petitioning for their own bankruptcy in the county, as opposed to being forced into bankruptcy by a creditor, from 289 cases in the fourth quarter of 2007 to 360 cases in the first quarter of 2008.

The increase in Southampton was slightly lower than the rest of the county with a rise of 15 per cent, from 123 in the fourth quarter of 2007 to 142 in the first quarter of 2008.

Nationally, the three months to March 31 saw an increase of 11 per cent in the number of people making themselves bankrupt, according to new figures from the Department of Justice.

The figures reveal that 13,275 people successfully petitioned the court to bankrupt themselves and 8,805 agreed an IVA in the quarter January to March 2008.

Mark Sands, director of personal insolvency at accountants KPMG's South Coast office, said: "People carry on digging a hole without realising they're in too deep.

"Typically they are £50,000 in debt. It starts with a few small things - conservatory or a holiday or whatever.

After that they're recycling the debt with credit offers with a view to saving money but in reality they're just building it up.

"Someone could end up bankrupt with £50,000 of debt but they've probably only spent £20,000 of that, the rest is interest and household expenditure.

"Now, because of the credit crunch, people can't borrow and I think the increase in the numbers declaring themselves bankrupt is down to people realising they've got a problem earlier than they otherwise would."

Christine Wall, debt advisor for Southampton Citizen's Advice Bureau, said: "We have noticed that the numbers have gone up quite considerably.

"People can't cope anymore and they are trying to find a solution. You pay what you can afford but it doesn't do anything to the debt and you think you are going to be paying it for 50 years, then going bankruptcy is an attractive proposition.

10:56am Tuesday 20th May 2008

   

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Posted by: hulla, baloo on 11:12am Tue 20 May 08
Too many greedy people, spending more on the never, never,than their income allows.
Is far too easy to get credit and about time to ban credit cards, and to have a serious overhaul of the lending criteria and methods.
Posted by: Fred on 11:13am Tue 20 May 08
The rates for bankruptcy have been rising year on year since Parliament made it easier to avoid your debts for those "small things" such as a "conservatory or a holiday or whatever".

When the recession does bite watch for 500% increases in bankruptcy rates.
Posted by: Doom Mongers on 11:40am Tue 20 May 08
Stop being talked into a recession by the media. If people are fearful and stop spending for no other reason than constant inaccurate financial reporting by sound byte journalists,the result is a knock on effect for the whole country i.e. higher interest rates,higher inflation etc...
Posted by: hmm on 11:43am Tue 20 May 08
Doom Mongers wrote:
Stop being talked into a recession by the media. If people are fearful and stop spending for no other reason than constant inaccurate financial reporting by sound byte journalists,the result is a knock on effect for the whole country i.e. higher interest rates,higher inflation etc...
100 % nail on the head

The media have a lot to answer for
Posted by: Clark Kent, Metropolis on 11:44am Tue 20 May 08
Doom Mongers wrote:
Stop being talked into a recession by the media. If people are fearful and stop spending for no other reason than constant inaccurate financial reporting by sound byte journalists,the result is a knock on effect for the whole country i.e. higher interest rates,higher inflation etc...
So journos are immune to higher interest rates and inflation are they?

Perhaps they are just reporting what is happening...
Posted by: Gilmore, Shirley, Southampton on 12:17pm Tue 20 May 08
People shouldn't stop spending , but it seems more and more people need to think about how much they're borrowing . Does nobody have cash in the bank anymore? Personally I only spend it if I know I have it, result = zero debt. Admittedly, I don't have a house, pension, savings, car. In fact all I have is a computer and super-fast internet connection so I can spend all day trolling the Echo website ;)

But seriously, journos need to stop sensationalising and panic mongering, lending companies need to stop encouraging the poor and weak to borrow more and more money and the government needs to revise how debt agencies operate.
Posted by: John B, Eastleigh on 1:28pm Tue 20 May 08
Clark Kent wrote:
Doom Mongers wrote: Stop being talked into a recession by the media. If people are fearful and stop spending for no other reason than constant inaccurate financial reporting by sound byte journalists,the result is a knock on effect for the whole country i.e. higher interest rates,higher inflation etc...
So journos are immune to higher interest rates and inflation are they? Perhaps they are just reporting what is happening...
The housing market is stagnant at the moment - not because of lack of credit - but because the media are predicting a fall in prices - who wants to buy when the press constantly say prices will go down.

The market is reacting to what the press report so yes, it is (partly) their fault.
Posted by: REBECCA,PORTWOOD, southampton on 2:27pm Tue 20 May 08
There are lots of people in debt but we don't all go bankrupt some of us are even on low incomes just carrying on repaying the debt as we are the ones that have over spent. I WOULD IMAGINE US TAX PAYERS WILL PAY FOR THE ONES THAT TAKE THE OPT OUT OPTION BUT WHY SHOULD WE!!!!!
Posted by: lowe and behold, st marys hotseat on 3:03pm Tue 20 May 08
The majority of people are now doubt living in council flats cant afford to re pay the catalogue money back. Dole cheats credit cheats
Posted by: We're all doomed!!!!!!!!!!!!, Glasshalfemptyland on 3:35pm Tue 20 May 08
lowe and behold wrote:
The majority of people are now doubt living in council flats cant afford to re pay the catalogue money back. Dole cheats credit cheats
If the scaremongering is to be believed, it is the middle class "keep up with the Jones" bigger house better car types which are destined to struggle.
I don't think that too many bedsit/council flat/council houses will be repossesed!
Posted by: lowe and behold, st marys hotseat on 3:53pm Tue 20 May 08
We're all doomed!!!!!!!!!!!! wrote:
lowe and behold wrote: The majority of people are now doubt living in council flats cant afford to re pay the catalogue money back. Dole cheats credit cheats
If the scaremongering is to be believed, it is the middle class "keep up with the Jones" bigger house better car types which are destined to struggle. I don't think that too many bedsit/council flat/council houses will be repossesed!
yes these low life are to blame.
ps i dont suffer from the above my home is paid for so are my cars and money in the bank life is such a struggle. watch out repo man is comeing for you dole cheats
Posted by: Ron the Pole, Petersfield on 4:14pm Tue 20 May 08
Your country used to be cheap but not any more.I
am going home to Poland.
Posted by: Banker on 6:47pm Tue 20 May 08
Clark Kent wrote:
Doom Mongers wrote:
Stop being talked into a recession by the media. If people are fearful and stop spending for no other reason than constant inaccurate financial reporting by sound byte journalists,the result is a knock on effect for the whole country i.e. higher interest rates,higher inflation etc...
So journos are immune to higher interest rates and inflation are they?

Perhaps they are just reporting what is happening...
Perhaps. But, actually, not. Believe the media, and apparently it's virtually impossible to get a mortgage now unless you've got a huge deposit. Not in the least bit true. 5% deposit will still get you a pretty decent mortgage. Doom Mongers and his cohorts above are spot-on.

What does bankruptcy have to do with the credit crunch anyway? If inability to obtain credit affects your ability to live day-to-day, bankrupcy was only round the corner anyway
Posted by: jason bourne, can't say on 7:51am Wed 21 May 08
Ron the Pole wrote:
Your country used to be cheap but not any more.I am going home to Poland.
make sure you fill your car up with all your freinds
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