The Conservatives have outlined plans that would aim to curb the apparent excesses of store card credit providers.

Shadow chancellor George Osborne has suggested that the rates of interest charged by store card providers are sometimes too high and that many consumers are unwittingly putting themselves at risk of debt problems by using them.

With this in mind, Mr Osborne told the Which? Annual Awards recently that he would like to see the Office of Fair Trading given powers to clamp down on store card companies whose practices are unhelpful to people with money problems.

"Of course individuals have the prime responsibility to keep themselves out of trouble and businesses should only lend to those who can afford it," he said.

"But government has a role in setting the boundaries and ensuring fair play."

Last week, GE Money reported that one in three British consumers are looking to reduce the amount of cash they spend on a monthly basis.