There is likely to be a further increase in the amount of people seeking debt management advice.

This is according to Joseph Surtees, policy and research officer at the Consumer Credit Counselling Service, who believes mortgage arrears are one of the sources of difficulty.

He continued: "The earlier they access these tools the less impact the problems will have on their life, the sooner you will be able to live your life normally again."

The main problem is that two-thirds of people who lose their jobs live in owner-occupied houses, Mr Munroe added.

According to statistics from Credit Action, total UK personal debt at the end of March 2009 stood at £1,459, which has slowed further to 2.2 per cent in the last 12 months.

It also found that total consumer credit lending to individuals at the end of March was £232 billion and this has continued to fall to 3.2 per cent in the last 12 months.

Average household debt in the UK is £58,350 (including mortgages), while the average owed by every UK adult is £30,475, the study revealed.