Consumers could significantly reduce their debt sentence as a result of Government proposals

Published:

28/10/2009

Topic:

Press Release,Money,Credit Cards,Debt

Following yesterday's news regarding credit and store cards that the government will address 'negative payment hierarchies' and increase minimum monthly repayments, analysis from moneysupermarket.com reveals these changes could cut nearly 14 years, and £2,400 off a consumers lifetime debt sentence*.

For example, on a typical balance transfer credit card*, with a balance transfer of £2,000 and a purchase of £1,500, using the newly suggested positive hierarchy system ,with a minimum payment of five per cent, consumers would pay off their debt in nine years and nine months and would incur £802 in interest.

The same amount of debt would take 24 years and three months to pay off and would rack up £3,175 in interest using the current typical negative hierarchy system with a 2.5 per cent minimum repayment.

Peter Harrison, credit cards expert at moneysupermarket.com, said: "Our own research** shows that almost two-thirds of consumers don't realise that the cheapest debt is paid off first on the majority of credit cards. The lack of understanding of the current repayments hierarchy system by consumers means many end up paying a huge amount of interest and the debt sentence can last for years - decades in some cases.

"These figures show the extent to which the Government's proposed reforms will help consumers lower their personal debt.

"However, consumers shouldn't wait until any changes take place. If you are trapped by payment hierarchy then switch to a more suitable card, or if you are paying just the minimum amount on your card, then look to increase your payments, if possible."

- Ends -

Notes to editors:
*Balance Transfer of £2,000 with 3% fee, 0% For 12 Months Then 16.9% Typical APR. 0% purchase for 3 Months then 16.9% APR
** Opinium Research carried out an online poll of 2008 British adults on behalf of moneysupermarket.com from 29 September and 2 October 2009. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.

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