Monster Friday goes under the sea

by on September 17th, 2010

This week’s monster friday blog is another arty one, and I think it’s my favourite video from the ones we’ve posted so far in the monsters series!

Titled “Clockwork Plankton” you could argue that perhaps the squids in this video aren’t exactly monsters but I know I wouldn’t like to run into one of these the next time I go for a swim!

Don’t forget, if you have a debt monster on your mind the best thing do to is take action as soon as possible. ClearDebt can offer you help, so why not take our online debt analyser or give us a call on 0800 019 2095.


At ClearDebt, we take the issue of personal debt seriously. We also believe moments of humour are affordable to everyone, including those in a serious situation. This Friday blog post is part of the monsters series. If you are concerned about your personal finances, we recommend you try the debt analyser or ask a ClearDebt advisor.

ClearDebt Group plc (“ClearDebt” or “the Group”) Preliminary Results for the year ended 30 June 2010

by on September 17th, 2010

Financial Highlights:

•    A positive step change across all valuation metrics

2010 2009
Revenue £6.6m £3.4m
Gross profit £3.3m £1.4m
EBITDA (before separate disclosable items – see note 4) £2.0m £0.7m

•    Another excellent year, further improved by the acquisition of the Relax Group plc (“Relax”) back books, together with further substantial growth in the numbers of new IVA cases approved during the past year

•    Very strong and stable new cash flows from the £2.7m acquisition of assets from the administrator of Relax

•    Successful refinancing to pay all acquisition costs

Operational Highlights:

•    Continued impressive organic growth, combined with intelligent acquisition

•    Very strong increase in new Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) through the core ClearDebt business, particularly in the last quarter of our financial year

•    3,700 IVAs and Protected Trust Deeds (PTDs) added through acquisition of the Relax book

•    Total number of IVAs and PTDs generating income was 4,894 as at 30 June 2010 (2009: 858)

•    6,316 Debt Management Plans (DMPs) managed through Abacus and Relax (2009: 3,430)

Outlook:

•    Continue organic growth due to prevailing socio-economic conditions and successful operational development

•    New acquisition opportunities constantly being explored

•    Kaizen based scaleable model reduces acquisition risk

•    Integrated growth strategy to drive business forward to market leading position

David Mond, ClearDebt CEO commented,

“The IVA market has continued to grow strongly and ClearDebt has substantially increased the numbers of IVAs it has dealt with and continues to outperform the growth rate in the wider market as we continue to increase market share.

The last quarter of the financial year produced a record number of IVAs for the Group and this figure has almost been equalled in the first quarter of our new financial year after only two months of the period. Our overall conversion of leads as a Group across all solutions remains excellent and, whilst we have seen a slowing in the rate of acquisition of DMP plans, our view is that we are merely experiencing a shift to a higher proportion of clients for whom an IVA is the more appropriate solution.

Given the current economic outlook in the UK, with unemployment showing no signs of falling, together with further tax rises and public sector cuts to come in the short to medium term, I believe the Group is well placed for another highly profitable and successful year – without any further acquisitions. We remain delighted with our organic growth, but also are entirely open to the possibilities of acquisition, due to our unique Kaizen based scaleable business model.”

17 September 2010

For further information, please contact:

ClearDebt Group plc     David Mond, Chief Executive Officer
Tel No: 0161 968 6805

Seymour Pierce Limited
John Cowie/Guy Peters (Nominated adviser)
David Banks/Katie Ratner (Broker)
Tel No: 020 7107 8000

A monster story with a happy ending

by on September 10th, 2010

We have a monster story with a happy ending for you this week, take a look!

If you’re struggling with debt there are options which can help you start working towards your own happy ending. We specialise in IVAs (Individual Voluntary Arrangements) and DMPs (Debt Management Plans). Why not take our online debt analyser to see which options is best for you, or alternatively speak to one of the team freephone on 0800 019 2095


At ClearDebt, we take the issue of personal debt seriously. We also believe moments of humour are affordable to everyone, including those in a serious situation. This Friday blog post is part of the monsters series. If you are concerned about your personal finances, we recommend you try the debt analyser or ask a ClearDebt advisor.

HMRC Income Tax overpayment or underpayment letters – ClearDebt Update.

by on September 9th, 2010

We asked HMRC yesterday (Wednesday 8 September) about their policy towards people in Individual voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) and debt management plans (DMPs) who receive an HMRC letter saying they must pay more tax or that they are due an income tax rebate.

We were informed today (Thursday 9 September) that HMRC is concerned about this but that they don’t yet have a policy. They did assure us, however, that they are dealing with this urgently and that they will come back to us with guidance as soon as possible. We’ll publish that advice as soon as we get it.

Our concerns are:

  • People in IVAs and DMPs who receive underpayment letters are not in a position to repay much, if anything, as their monthly debt repayment to creditors will take up almost all their disposable income.
  • People in IVAs and DMPs who receive overpayment letters and get a rebate will be required (in an IVA) to pay a high proportion of that to their creditors or (if in a DMP) would be highly recommended to do so.

Questions and answers on these issues are available in the ClearDebt Community (see links below).

1) I’m in an IVA and have received a letter from HMRC which says I owe them money. What should I do?

2) I’m in an IVA and have received a letter from HMRC saying I am due to receive money from them. Will this have to go to my creditors?

3) I am in a Debt Management Plan and have received a letter from HMRC claiming I owe them money. How will this affect my DMP?

These answers will be updated as the situation develops.

ClearDebt launches support campaign to help debtors receiving income tax demands from HMRC

by on September 8th, 2010

As 1.4 million people around the UK receive income tax demands from HMRC, those in Debt Management Plans (DMPs) and Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) will be hit worst – according to leading debt solution company, ClearDebt.

Although the income tax demand can be paid back over 12 months, this will jeopardise repayment plans for those in debt, and could cause the collapse of any hopes they had of working towards a debt free future.

ClearDebt believe HMRC has not thought through the consequences of underpayment of income tax on people in debt repayment plans, especially IVAs. Those told they need to pay more tax will not be able to do so, as their disposable income is already pledged to repay creditors. Should the repayment plans need a variation due to HMRC’s demands, the IVA/DMP could fail and some debtors could even be in greater debt than before. Some of those able to work the tax demand around or into their repayment plan will find this now increases the time required to pay back all of their debt.

Andrew Smith, ClearDebt Marketing Director comments,

“More than forty thousand people a year enter an IVA. Demands by HMRC for an average of £125 a month more could put many of these arrangements at risk. We are contacting all our clients to offer them advice and support on this situation in order to help them appeal any tax demands and make clear to HMRC the dire situation they have now been put in.”

ClearDebt have also posted questions and answers to help clients or any other member of the public with worries about this situation on their community site, http://ask.cleardebt.co.uk

Notes to Editors:
For full details on this research or further comment, please contact:
Andrew Smith – ClearDebt Group
0161 968 6825 / 07912 407 532
Andrew.smith@cleardebt.co.uk
www.cleardebt.co.uk

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