The number of people seeking help from free debt advice agencies has risen in the last year, a new survey shows.

Some 1.54 million people sought help with excessive borrowing in 2011, compared with 1.4 million the previous year, the study by the Money Advice Trust has shown. Figures also show around 10 million individuals in the UK find themselves in a constant struggle to manage their debts, the charity found. The survey, carried out by the University of Nottingham for the Money Advice Trust, is an update on previous work forecasting demand for debt advice in the UK.

The research predicts a sharp rise in the demand for debt advice in the first half of this year, mostly due to growing unemployment and modest wage growth. Joanna Elson OBE, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, said: "2011 was a...Read more here--: 1.5 million people seek debt help - Telegraph