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| Debt collectors take 30-day break | Debt collectors take 30-day break |
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| Debt collectors have agreed to give 30 days' breathing space for borrowers struggling to pay back debts. | Debt collectors have agreed to give 30 days' breathing space for borrowers struggling to pay back debts. |
| The 30-day rule has been agreed between the Credit Service Association (CSA) -which represents debt agencies - and the government. | |
| The 30-day rule starts once a debt agency is told that a case has been referred to an accredited debt adviser. | The 30-day rule starts once a debt agency is told that a case has been referred to an accredited debt adviser. |
| The rule is being written into the code of conduct of the CSA's 300 members. It can be extended for an extra 30 days. | The rule is being written into the code of conduct of the CSA's 300 members. It can be extended for an extra 30 days. |
| 'Sensible commitment' | 'Sensible commitment' |
| Under the new rules, CSA members will also have to tell people how they can get help from debt advisory services. | Under the new rules, CSA members will also have to tell people how they can get help from debt advisory services. |
| Consumer minister Gareth Thomas said: "This new 30-day rule will give people a breathing space to help them take control of their finances as well as encourage them to seek help from debt advisers. | Consumer minister Gareth Thomas said: "This new 30-day rule will give people a breathing space to help them take control of their finances as well as encourage them to seek help from debt advisers. |
| "I welcome the CSA's recognition that this is an important and sensible commitment to have made to borrowers." | "I welcome the CSA's recognition that this is an important and sensible commitment to have made to borrowers." |
| Kurt Obermaier, executive director of the CSA, said: "We have an agreement to allow a 30-day breathing space in the hope and expectation that this will ease the pressure on the debtor and more likely result in a positive outcome for all." | Kurt Obermaier, executive director of the CSA, said: "We have an agreement to allow a 30-day breathing space in the hope and expectation that this will ease the pressure on the debtor and more likely result in a positive outcome for all." |
| Mr Thomas also welcomed the introduction of new rules on Monday for debt relief orders, which will allow indebted borrowers on low incomes to file for bankruptcy. | Mr Thomas also welcomed the introduction of new rules on Monday for debt relief orders, which will allow indebted borrowers on low incomes to file for bankruptcy. |
| "We want anyone in difficulty to be able to access the help they need," he said. | "We want anyone in difficulty to be able to access the help they need," he said. |