Money Advice Trust

Payday lenders have been ordered to play fair or risk being banned from the sector after a study found "explosive" evidence of irresponsible lending.

Rising rents have prompted a record 12,000 tenants who are struggling with arrears to contact a debt advice charity this year.

Tougher action is needed to clampdown on "opaque and poorly regulated" commercial debt management companies and payday lenders, a report from MPs urged today.

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