A priority debt is to a creditor who can impose a serious sanction on you. Prioritising debts allows you to sort out the most important debts. Make a list of your creditors and how much you owe them.

Then assess which are the most important. The following list may help you.

• Mortgage and Rent: These are very important. Failure to pay could mean you lose your home. 
• Fines: Paying fines is important. If you fail to do so, you could go to jail.
• Fuel Debts: If you fail to pay you could be in the dark!
• Hire Purchase Debts: If goods are bought on HP they could be repossessed for failure to pay, if you have paid less than one third of the total cost. In Scotland they cannot be repossessed without a court order.
• Council Tax: If you fail to pay, action can be taken quickly and extra costs may be added.
• Court Action: If a creditor raises a court action you must deal with this or face the consequence of wage arrestment, or even, in some cases, loss of your home.

If you require advice on debt issues contact the Debt Advice Team. 

Phone:  0141 287 8732