Money Box Live: Loans, Credit Cards and Credit Reports

Available for over a year

Your calls, queries and views on all aspects of personal credit, loans, cards, credit reports and debt. Historically low interest rates on personal loans, looser credit scoring criteria and increasing consumer confidence are driving up household borrowing levels say the Bank of England. Personal borrowing increased by £1.2 billion in October with consumer credit growth rising by 8.2% over the last year. Consumers are also being tempted by ever longer introductory offers, some lenders offering 0% balance transfers for up to 37 or 40 months. Debt advice charity National Debtline say that while many will be able to service this extra borrowing, they are concerned that a minority are turning to credit to make ends meet and that higher interest rates or a change in personal circumstances could lead to debt problems. The Financial Conduct Authority warned earlier this month that around 1.6 million people only manage to make the minimum monthly payments on their credit cards and that as such customers are seen as profitable, firms have fewer incentives to help them. So on Wednesday we took your calls, queries and views on all aspects of personal credit. Paul Lewis was joined by: Kevin Mountford from MoneySuperMarket James Jones from Experian Dennis Hussey from National Debtline.