Bankruptcy fee increase 'unaffordable'
www.moneynews.co.uk > General finance > Bankruptcy fee increase 'unaffordable'
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Bankruptcy fee increase 'unaffordable'
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Citizens Advice has warned that those on low incomes may not be able to afford to go bankrupt when the charge for declaring rises from £390 to £450.
The group claims that people living on benefits will not be able to afford the fee and is calling for an exemption from the charge for those on means-tested benefits.
Citizens Advice, which helped more than a million people in debt last year, has written to the government urging it to change its policy on bankruptcy fees for low earners, cautioning that those on low incomes will simply be forced to rely even more on charity to support them after the increase comes in.
David Harker, chief executive of Citizens Advice said: "For many CAB clients with substantial debts and no available income to pay them, bankruptcy may be the only realistic option.
"It is not an easy option, but in some cases it can be the only way of enabling debtors to make a fresh start.
"It makes no sense for the Government to put a bigger obstacle in the way of people in most need of such help."
Bankruptcy fees consist of a £140 court fee and a £250 deposit to help meet the Official Receiver's costs. The deposit will rise to £310 in April when new rules come in to make it quicker to discharge bankrupts.
Although people who are on means-tested benefits are exempt from the court costs, they get no help with the deposit fee.
Related News : General finance |
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