Debtwizard is asking the PM to take decisive action in helping consumers that cannot afford the bankruptcy fee.
As from 6th April 2009 the Government have increased the cost to self petition for bankruptcy to £510. You can find out more here
Read the letter sent to Gordon Browm dated 19 February 2009 below. You can also read the responses from the PM's office, David Cameron, Nick Clegg and The Insolvency Service.
Letters
THE PROHIBITIVE COST OF PETITIONING FOR BANKRUPTCY
To PM Gordon Brown, dated 19/02/2009
"Last year, on the 5 November, at a function held on behalf of the Police Dependents' Trust at the House of Commons, you were kind enough to spare time to discuss with me debt related problems and their effect on consumers.
"There is an issue which I feel I need to bring to your attention..."
Read the full letter titled The Prohibitive Cost of Petitioning for Bankruptcy.pdf.
RESPONSE FROM DAVID CAMERON
From the Conservative Party (David Cameron), dated 24/02/2009
"I am writing to acknowledge your letter to David Cameron of February 19 with which you enclosed a copy of your recent letter..."
Read the full letter 090224-from-davidcameron.pdf.
RESPONSE FROM GORDON BROWN
From the Labour Party (Gordon Brown), dated 11/03/2009
"The Prime Minister has asked me to thank you for your recent letter.
"As you can imagine, Mr Brown receives thousands of letters each week and regrets that he is unable to reply personally to them all..."
Read the full letter 090311-from-gordonbrown.pdf.
RESPONSE FROM NICK CLEGG
From the Liberal Democrats (Nick Clegg), dated 16/03/2009
"Many thanks for your letter to Nick Clegg MP. Nick has asked me to reply to you on his behalf...
"Liberal Democrats are very much aware of the painful consequences of recession for people throughout the UK..."
Read the full letter 090316-from-nickclegg.pdf.
CASE STUDY
Letter to PM Gordon Brown and David Cameron, Dated 19/03/2009
This letter has been sent to the PM and David Cameron by a client of debtwizard.com. We have removed the person's name and address.
This individual needs to petition for their bankruptcy to resolve their debt issues but cannot afford the fee. This fee is to increase to £515 from 6th April 2009.
This is the reason why Mike wrote to the PM on the 19th February asking for help for thousands of other individuals such as this.
Mike's letter is shown above along with the responses received so far from the three main political parties.
Read the full letter 090319-from-anonymous.pdf.
RESPONSE FROM THE INSOLVENCY SERVICE
From The Insolvency Service, dated 07/05/2009
"Thank you for your letter of 19 Feb, addressed to the Prime Minister outlining your concerns about the cost of petitioning for bankruptcy...
"Currently a debtor wishing to petition for his or her own bankruptcy would have to pay a fee of £510 and the Official Receiver's deposit of £360. I will discuss each in turn..."
Read the full letter 090507-from-insservice.pdf.
REPLY TO THE INSOLVENCY SERVICE
Letter to The Insolvency Service, dated 15/05/2009
"With a predicted 50% hike in bankruptcies, I feel that more should be done to address this looming problem. Whilst the government has bailed out most of the UK banks and now the car industry, little is being done to help the consumer caught up in debt problems brought about by the current economic crisis..."
Read the full letter 090515-to-insservice.pdf.
RESPONSE FROM THE INSOLVENCY SERVICE
Letter from The Insolvency Service, dated 22/05/2009
"You may appreciate that it is the Ministry of Justice that has policy responsibility for court fees rather than The Insolvency Service. Nonetheless I have shared your thoughts with them... they are keen to impart that they remain committed to ensuring that court fees do not prevent access to the the court..."
Read the full letter 090522-from-insservice.pdf.
Read the DebtWizard's reply 090617-to-insservice.pdf.
Northern Rock
Previously Mike has written to the PM over the way Northern Rock were rejecting reasonable Individual Voluntary Arrangements, often referred to as IVAs. He is pleased to announce that Northern Rock have since softened their approach to IVAs and are now generally accepting proposals once more.
This section is under Now Downing Street is Involved to view the correspondence.
