Category: Budgeting

March 04, 2025

IVA Vs Debt Consolidation: Which Option Is Right For You?

Looking to make it easier to manage your debt but not sure which option is right for you? Read on for our quick guide to IVAs vs. debt consolidation

Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 – Mind Over Money: Exploring the impact of debt on mental health

With Mental Health Awareness Week taking place from 13th – 19th May, learn how debt can impact your mental health and what you can do to support your mind and

Are children becoming an unaffordable luxury?

Explore the rising cost of raising children, why families are feeling the pressure, and how to manage household finances better.

How To Beat Gambling Debt

Struggling with gambling debt? Learn practical steps to regain control, reduce debt, and access the right support. Find out more today.

Spring Budget 2024 – What it means for you

As many of the changes announced in the Spring Budget 2024 are set to come into force in April, we’re taking a look at what it will mean for you

Debt Awareness Week 2024 – five common reasons people don’t seek help for debt

To mark the 10th anniversary of Debt Awareness Week, we explain – and debunk – five of the most common reasons why people don’t seek help for their problem debt

DWP Debt Management Repayment | DWP Payment Plan

Behind on payments to HMRC or the DWP? Learn your options, what support is available, and how to deal with government debt safely.

My Debt Plan is
here to help you

  • No matter your financial situation or difficulties, we can provide you with the right advice and debt support.
  • Alternatively, if you’d like to speak to one of our advisers for professional advice call us.

Credit Rating

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is a formal agreement with creditors to repay a portion of your debts over time, but it does have an impact on your credit score and it will be difficult to obtain further credit whilst on an IVA. Once an IVA is approved, it is recorded on your credit report and will typically remain there for six years from the date it starts.
However, it’s important to note this is the case for most debt solutions and your credit score will likely already have been affected by being in debt in the first place.
Once your IVA is complete you will get a fresh start to begin rebuilding your credit rating.

Fees

IVA costs are charged for the preparation of your proposal and the administration of the arrangement for the full term (usually 5 years) these costs are charged from the monthly contributions you make into the IVA and are not in addition. Costs will only be recovered on approval of your arrangement and once you commence making payments to it. The fees for preparation of the proposal to creditors and calling the meeting for creditors to vote on its approval are called nominees fees, the fees for running the arrangement once approved are called supervisors fees. There are also some expenses incurred in the running of the arrangement such as the registration fee and the statutory insurance that needs to be taken by law, these are called disbursements. For our arrangements, the total of all of these is £3,650 although this may be adjusted by creditors when they vote on whether to accept. No matter what the end total of costs come to, you can be rest assured that these will be taken from the monthly payment we agree with you.