Dealing with Debt

Last updated: 10 January 2010

One of Royal Mail's least welcome deliveries will be arriving at homes across the country in the next few weeks. As some leading High Street retailers rejoice in high profits from Christmas and New Year sprees, millions of families will be opening their credit card bills, with a mixture of relief and panic.

Debt is never far away from any of us. Even if we feel comfortable personally, Britain, like many other major countries, has a massive national debt. It's at the domestic level, however, that we understand it better. A stark statistic claims that average household debt in Britain is £9,016 (excluding mortgages)*.

In "All Things Considered" this week Roy Jenkins and guests explore the implications of the growing mountains of credit and what it says about our understanding of money. They hear also about how and why a church in the Rhondda has launched a centre to address some of the needs of those struggling with debt.

"All Things Considered" is broadcast Sunday 10 January at 8.30am and repeated on Wednesday 13 January at 6.30 pm.

*Statistic provided by Credit Action