Although people seeking debt management advice tend to be in their mid-30s, there has been a rise in the number of older people expressing concern, it has been said.

Younger people are generally less concerned with their money problems, a spokesperson for the Consumer Credit Counselling Service revealed, while older generations are finding themselves in difficulties.

"Older people, perhaps, if they are made redundant will find trouble getting another job whereas younger people still have the option to retrain or go to a different area," the spokesperson suggested.

They have also been through past recessions, he continued, which they may use in comparison to this one to realise the situation is worse than those in previous years.

A report from Friends Provident has revealed that the UK is experiencing an increase in positivity from 18 to 25 year-olds, who are the least worried and least depressed about the impact of the recession.

More than one in three of this age group said they are not worried about the recession despite being aware of it, compared to 19 per cent of those between 51 and 55.