Debt week | IVA forum

Debt Awareness Week (29th Jan - 2nd Feb)

IVA.co.uk held the UK's first Debt Awareness Week from 29 Jan – 2 Feb 2007.
Consumer groups, MPs and debt consultancies alike backed the initiative.
Events took place throughout the week and received attention from national press.

The key event was The Great Debt Debate on 1 Feb as high profile figures gathered in Canary Wharf to take questions from the press and general public.

Wondering who was involved in the debt awareness week? See who took part
View transcript

Key: indicates level of scale for event

Debt Day Monday 29th Jan

11am: Exclusive interview with Neil Hamilton:

A personal story of bankruptcy.

1pm: IVA TV Debt Surgery:

IVA TV launched their first ever debt surgery programme, taking questions from the public about their debt problems. The programme gave users a chance to have their questions tackled by a card of experts:

Elaine Williams, Director of SAFE (Struggle Against Financial Exploitation);
Richard Reid, Psychologist at Pinnacle Therapy; and
James Falla, Director, Author of Debt Book and TV Debt expert.

Awareness Day Tuesday 30th Jan

9am: Exclusive interview with Benjamin Fry:

Why and how people get into debt.

11am: Raising Debt Awareness with the Public of London:

1000 debt books were donated by James Falla and handed out in central London warning of perils of careless budgeting.IVA TV captured peoples thoughts on debt and budgeting

Find out more

1pm: Struggle Against Financial Exploitation:

Presentation from S.A.F.E. at the Regus Liverpool Street Centre. SAFE drew attention to how both the banks and other governing institutions seemingly condone systemic fraud and deception upon unsuspecting individuals throughout the UK. SAFE used the event to present their strategy for 2007 and to launch their new website.

Lord Nazir Ahmed,
Elaine Williams(SAFE charity),
Rob Owen(SAFE charity).
Find out more

Education Day Wednesday 31st Jan

9am: Exclusive interview with Matt Buttery:

The Importance of Debt Education.

11am: School Education :

Experts from the Debt industry visited schools to explain how important good financial management is.

1pm: Unfair Penalty Charges:

Stephen Hone presented case studies of individuals who have successfully claimed back £1000s in unfair bank charges using his advice and templates.Stephen also explained why these charges are unfair and what this means for the banking industry.

Find out more

Debate Day Thursday 1st Feb

10am: Exclusive interview with Bishop Selby:

The ethics of borrowing and lending.

11am The Great Debt Debate, chaired by Peter Hobday:

The debate, to be held at The Museum in Docklands, will be chaired by heavyweight Peter Hobday of Radio 4’s Today Program, who will invite questions from the audience.

Melanie Giles, an Insolvency Practitioner and authoritative voice on regulation, having worked at the forefront of the insolvency industry for over 20 years;