Debt hangover ‘will last into summer’

The TUC said adults face festive debts of £685, taking 24 weeks to pay back the money – four weeks longer than last year. Workers on the minimum wage would take a year to pay off a similar amount, said the union organisation.

Its report said British workers were suffering the longest real-wage squeeze since the 1870s, with inflation rising faster than pay for the last 42 months.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Millions of households will be still be paying for this year’s presents, food and drink well into the summer and beyond.

“Instead of benefiting from Britain’s economic recovery, ordinary people are finding it harder to pay off their debts.”