A new report from The National Consumer Council says that approximately 6 million families in Britain are weighed down by debt. The British nationwide debt level has recently crossed over the £1 trillion mark. Out of which around 80% is caused by mortgages, credit cards and loans. Over the last 6 years, the number of people searching for advice about debt rose by 44%, and it is expected to continue to rise even more.

People can get into difficulties with their debt repayments for many reasons. Most commonly, the major cause of missed payments is usually due to some sort of dramatic change in a person's circumstances such as illness, a new baby, unemployment or most problematically divorce.

A common reaction among many people in these circumstances is to turn to borrowing additional funds to pay off household bills or other debts. Taking on additional debts to cover existing problems often leads to increased debts and further trouble.

Struggling with financial problems has more far-reaching side-effects. These problems can manifest themselves as anxiety, depression, relationship breakdown, stress, mental health problems, and in the most extreme cases, some people have been known to take their own lives.

The council stated that often the major cause of people getting into debt problems was a simple lack of understanding how to control, or escape bad debt situations. Debt is a problem right across the nation having no respect for age, income, social standing, and profession or where in country a person lives.

The council also said that debt had a wider impact society than simply the individuals concerned with their own financial problems. The council is of the belief that national governments should be doing more in attempts to highlight what it terms financial awareness.

It also attacked credit card and large loan companies, who bombard potential customers, with television advertisements. All seemingly centered on the ease with which money can be borrowed.

They claim that consumers often are seduced by the commercials promise of easy finance without a thought of repayments. Creditors are often blinded by computerised credit scores. Moreover, consider someone who takes out credit and makes the regular payments is an excellent candidate for additional loans.

Of course, this person's financial situation may be dubious at best. However, they manage to never miss a payment, making them a good risk for more debt. Many credit card companies target these type people.

People with debt problems often have to face up to specialised debt collection agencies, of which there is a growing number in the UK. These companies buy up delinquent debts from the company's who issued the credit in the first place.

There is a considerable amount of free debt advice available from local Citizens Advice Bureau's, who can advise people with debt problems. Another option is to contact one of the many companies online who deal with Individual Voluntary Arrangements.

Where they negotiate with creditors on behalf of the client, and will hopefully be able to make arrangements to lower the monthly payments in return for the client not giving up on payments all together. In addition, debt consolidation loans that can be a lifeline for many British citizens who have found themselves drowning in a sea of debt can also be found online.