People 'too poor' to go bankrupt

Some people on low incomes can't afford to go bankrupt, Citizens Advice warn.

With bankruptcy fees due to rise from £390 to £450 beginning in April, many on benefits will need to even more rely on charity for help, the group says.

Citizens Advice has written to the government calling for people on benefits to be exempt from fees.

The call from the group, which helped more than a million debtors last year, coincides with Hey Big Spender - a day of BBC programs on debt issues.

Hey Big Spender! will be broadcast on Wednesday, 28 January, 2004, at 2100 GMT on BBC One.