The number of people in the UK seeking help with debt problems has jumped by 11 per cent to 1.4m according to the latest figures from the Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB).

Its figures show that over the last year debt problems have become the biggest area it now deals with. One in five people who sought advice from the charity did so because of mounting debt problems.

And housing debt was one of the fastest growing problem areas with a 20 per cent increase in enquiries about mortgages, secured loans and rent arrears.

Council tax debt related problems went up by almost half (46 per cent) and utilities debt problems (gas, electricity, telephone and water) were up by 19 per cent. Bankruptcy accounted for 65,000 of the debt problems handled by Citizens Advice Bureaux.

“The CAB’s figures are deeply worrying,” says Jackie Newton, general manager of Chiltern Debt Management.

“Particularly when you consider the sharp rise in enquiries from people getting behind with mortgage payments and having trouble paying council tax, gas and electricity bills. And this is all happening at a time when court action that can lead to repossession is on the increase, and fuel prices are rising steeply.

“This trend is likely to lead to more people than ever experiencing serious debt problems. Our advice is simple – if you feel you’re in trouble don’t borrow more and don’t avoid the problem. By tackling debt problems by getting professional help at an early stage a great deal of heartache can be avoided.”