New research has revealed that almost one million people in the UK are struggling with their debt problems alone, with a quarter believing that their debts aren’t big enough to seek help.

The research, conducted by insolvency trade body R3, found that there were various reasons for people struggling with their finances alone with 44% saying that they didn’t think their debts were big enough to require debt advice. A quarter of people surveyed believed that their debt problems were only a temporary measure, while one fifth admitted they tried to ignore their problems.

A fifth of people surveyed said that that they wouldn’t know where they could go to get debt help or advice and a further 44% believed that they would have to pay for debt advice.

Although 62% of people had talked through their problems with family or friends, 14% of people admitted to keeping quiet about their problems because they were worried about what other people would think. The survey showed that 19% of those asked said that they avoided opening their bills because they were worried about the costs of them, while 77% took active measures to avoid the companies they were in debt with.

While 80% knew about bankruptcy options, less than half of those who were asked were aware of debt management plans such as Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVA).

Personal debt in the UK continues to rise with the average household debt being £57,944, including home loan repayments. Recent research by Credit Action also showed that consumer credit lending, which includes credit cards, store cards and personal loans, stood at £8,716 for the average household.