According to official statistics 13,501 bankruptcies were filed in the fourth quarter of 2005. This figure represents an increase of 11% up on the previous quarter and even more strikingly it was 38% higher than the same period in 2004.



However, these figures only partly show the rue state of affairs. Britain is facing a personal debt crisis and for every person who is declared bankrupt, plenty more are suffering from serious debt which blighting the quality of their lives.

The widespread nature of personal debt is largely a result of how easy it is to obtain credit. Consumers are encouraged to borrow more than they can afford so that they can spend today and worry about how to pay for it tomorrow. In other words, consumers want instant gratification and would rather get into debt and have the products they want than do without or save money.

The other reason that bankruptcies are on the increase is the changing attitude towards it. Ever since the Enterprise Act of 2002 reduced the period in which people could be discharged from bankruptcy, it has been seen as an easy way to get out of debt.

This perception is very far away from the truth however. There are numerous disqualifications, restrictions and stigmas associated with bankruptcy. And these disadvantages have long term and far reaching consequences.

Consumers who are considering bankruptcy as a way of sorting out their debt problems would be well advised to consider the alternatives. In 1986, the government introduced IVAs as an alternative to bankruptcy which would benefit both debtors and creditors.

An IVA is a good alternative to bankruptcy because there are no fees or legal proceedings involved with it, unlike with bankruptcy. Moreover, an IVA offers a greater repayment of the debt than would otherwise be achieved if the debtor were made bankrupt. For these reasons an IVA is a good alternative to bankruptcy from a creditors' perspective.

From the debtor's perspective, an IVA is a good alternative to bankruptcy because it does not have any stigmas of disqualifications associated with it. Additionally:

• Monthly re-payments are based on what the debtor can actually afford to pay

• In most cases, a debtor can keep his/her car with an IVA

• With an IVA as much as 80% of the debt is written off completely

• An IVA enables debtors to clear their debts within five years

Bankruptcy is on the increase because of the growing amount of consumer debt and the mistaken belief that it is an easy option. Although the UK's debt problem is not going to vanish any time soon, debtors would be well advised to consider alternatives to bankruptcy of which an IVA is possibly one of the best ones.