Debt and the family survey

Please rate how strongly you agree with the following statements:

* Please tick the answer that best describes your current situation

I am keeping up without any difficulty

I am keeping up, but I struggle from time to time

I am keeping up but it is a constant struggle

I have fallen behind or missed some payments over the past year

* Who have you told that you have had difficulty coping with debt or paying bills? (Please tick all the answers that are relevant to you)

* Please tick all the answers that describe reasons why you have had difficulty coping with debt or paying bills

I (or my family) didn’t have enough money coming in

I (we) faced higher than expected household bills

I (we) overspent

I (we) had to find money for an emergency purchase (for example, washing machine/ TV broke down)

My (or my partner’s) income was cut because hours at work were cut

I (or my partner) lost my (his/ her) job

Other

* What actions have you taken to help you cope with debt or paying bills ? (Please tick all the answers that are relevant to you)

I (we) cut back on spending

I (we) used savings

I (we) got some help from my family or friends

I (we) borrowed some more money

I (we) sold property

I (we) remortgaged property

I (we) got debt advice from a debt charity

I (we) got debt advice from a fee charging debt company

Other

* In order of preference, which of the following types of counselling was the most attractive to you when seeking debt advice?

Over the telephone
On the internet
Face-to-face

* In order of importance, what was the most significant factor in deciding the method of seeking debt advice?

Convenience
Anonymity
Recommendation
No cost
Expertise

* Have you lost sleep because you have been worrying about your debts?

Never

Sometimes

Frequently

Always

* How would you best describe your attitude to the debts you have now?

I don’t worry

I sometimes worry

I frequently worry

I always worry

* How would you best describe your attitude to debt in the future?

I will never get into debt again

I will try to avoid getting into debt in future

I don’t think I can avoid getting into debt in future

I think credit can be useful sometimes but I will try my best to keep it under control

As you may have heard, the UK economy is being affected by measures to cut the UK’s budget deficit (such as higher taxes for some people, higher VAT, cuts in benefits for some people, job cuts in part of the public sector) and higher inflation. Please tick which statements apply to you:

I am/ will be affected by higher VAT

I am/ will be affected by higher inflation

I am worried about me or my partner losing our jobs

I am worried about losing (or have lost) some benefits

I am worried that my (or my partner’s) wages might be cut

I am worried that my creditors will get tougher on me

I don’t think I will be affected at all

I haven’t really thought about it

* There is likely to be media interest in the results of the research. Would you be interested in finding out how you could support this work and for a member of the CCCS media team to contact you to explain what would be involved? Your details will not be passed to anyone else without your consent.

Yes, I am happy for CCCS to contact me regarding this survey

No, I do not wish to discuss this further