A record 1.7m need help with debts, warns Citizens Advice Bureau

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One charity alone reported a 20 per cent rise in pleas for advice, answering 6,600 problems every day.

And the number of people considering bankruptcy as a last resort leapt by 50 per cent blamed mainly on five interest rate rises in the past year.

Debt problems are now the single biggest issue handled by the Citizens Advice Bureau, which dealt with a record 1.7million over the past 12 months.

"There is no let-up in the rising toll of casualties from an unprecedented consumer credit boom and recent sharp increases in the cost of living. Mortgages, council tax and utilities are all more expensive," a CAB spokesman warned.

The rate rises have added more than £100 a month to repayments on a £125,000 mortgage and borrowers are having trouble meeting repayments on credit cards and loans.

Even more worrying is a sharp rise in the number of families struggling to meet essential bills such as heating and lighting.

The number seeking help because they are seriously behind on gas and electricity payments rose by a third last year at a time when bills soared by around 50 per cent.

Those struggling with council tax repayments rose by a quarter, while the number behind on phone bills rose by 19 per cent.

CAB chief executive David Harker said: "These figures are worrying evidence that while many have enjoyed the benefits of the credit boom, a growing number continue to pay the price."