Debt repayment short-lived as borrowing levels increase

CONSUMERS' focus on repaying their debts has proved to be short-lived, with borrowing levels rising sharply during 2009, research showed today.

The amount of unsecured debt people took on and the level of equity they released from their homes rose during every quarter of last year, according to professional advice website unbiased.co.uk.

The group said borrowing levels increased from just 1.81 billion in the first three months of 2009.