From shopkeepers to shoppers: Why UK consumers' acceptance of debt is here to stay

This paper looks at UK consumers' increasing acceptance of debt over the last two decades and the reasons behind this change.

From Shopkeepers to Shoppers

Why UK consumers' acceptance of debt is here to stay

Trevor Harvey Henley Centre HeadlightVision

After months of headlines reflecting the growing uncertainty in financial markets, and rising concerns over debt in Britain, there is a need to investigate attitudes towards debt held by consumers. Of particular interest is the rise in acceptance of debt - when did it all become so normal? Rather than Napoleon's reported 'nation of shopkeepers', has Britain become a nation of shoppers, or is this reflective of only a minority?Media reports have contributed to a growing debt hysteria, and...

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