One in four debtors pays price with ruined relationship

NEARLY one in four of those in debt say their money problems have caused their relationship to break down, a survey shows.

The debt charity Christians Against Poverty said 23 per cent of its clients had split from their partner because of their debt.

More than half of those helped by the charity also said the financial strain they were under put stress on their relationship and led to arguments.

About 69 per cent of consumers seeking help with their borrowings had seen their doctor about stress and 40 per cent had been put on medication.

Matt Barlow, the UK chief executive of Christians Against Poverty, said:

"Families and couples across the UK are being pushed to breaking point and beyond, with many not eating properly, taking medication and splitting up."

Meanwhile, Chiltern, the debt-management group, said the average debt of someone taking out one of its debt-management plans was below £26,000 for the first time since it began collecting statistics in August last year.

The average owed in April was £25,945, nearly £400 less than at the beginning of the year.