If you work at the port, on an energy contract or in a town-centre shop, the first question is the same: can you commit to a regular monthly payment for five years? This page helps you think that through and looks at the bills you should protect first.
Port, energy and engineering work: steady or seasonal?
The Port of Blyth and the renewable energy research and testing facilities nearby have made the town a centre for offshore wind and marine engineering. Some of that work is permanent and salaried. Much of it is project-based, with contracts that start and finish as projects do.
- Permanent roles: a regular salary is a strong basis for an IVA, because creditors can see the payment is sustainable.
- Project contracts: your budget should use your income over a whole year, including gaps between contracts, rather than your pay while you're working.
- Offshore rotations: allowances and travel arrangements should be reflected accurately. If your employer covers travel, it shouldn't appear as a cost in your budget.
If your income is very unpredictable, an informal Debt Management Plan may be safer than a five-year commitment, because payments can be changed easily.
Shift patterns at the port
Port and logistics work in Blyth often runs around the clock, with rotating shifts and weekend premiums. If your premiums are regular, they may be included in your income. If they depend on how busy the port is, a cautious average protects you from committing to more than you can keep paying.
Renting from Bernicia or a private landlord in Blyth
Bernicia is one of the largest social landlords in Northumberland, and many households in Blyth rent from it or from private landlords. Renting doesn't stop you getting an IVA, and your landlord isn't told about it. Your rent is treated as an essential cost and goes into your budget before anything is paid to creditors.
Keeping your tenancy safe
Rent arrears are different from most debts, because they can lead to possession proceedings. If you're behind, keep paying your full rent each month and contact your landlord to agree a plan for the arrears. Arrears with a current landlord are often dealt with outside an IVA so that your tenancy stays secure. Arrears from a previous tenancy can usually be included.
Which bills should I pay first?
When money is short, pay these first, in roughly this order, because the consequences of missing them are the most serious:
- Rent or mortgage, to protect your home.
- Council tax, because councils can use enforcement agents and, in rare cases, take further action.
- Gas and electricity, to keep your supply running.
- TV licence, magistrates' court fines and child maintenance.
- Hire purchase on a car you need for work.
Credit cards, loans, overdrafts and catalogue debts come after these. They're the debts an IVA, DMP or DRO is designed to deal with. Our types of debt guide explains why.
Council tax with Northumberland County Council
Northumberland is covered by a single unitary authority, so your council tax in Blyth is paid to Northumberland County Council. Arrears can usually be included in an IVA, but you'll need to keep paying the current year's bill. If you're on a low income, apply for council tax support before your budget is set, and check you're getting any discounts you're entitled to, such as the single person discount.
IVA, DRO or DMP for a Blyth household?
| Situation | Often the best starting point |
|---|---|
| Permanent job, debts over around £10,000, can't repay in full | An IVA |
| Contract work with gaps, could repay over time | A Debt Management Plan |
| Renting, low income, debts under £50,000 | A Debt Relief Order |
| Creditors threatening action right now | Breathing Space while you get advice |
This is a rough guide, not advice. Your own circumstances may point to a different answer, and the IVA calculator can give you a quick illustration.
Universal Credit and part-time work in the town
Not everyone in Blyth works in the port or energy sector. Many people work part-time in shops, care and hospitality, often with Universal Credit topping up their wages. Universal Credit counts as income in an IVA, but because it changes each month as your earnings change, your budget needs to be based on a realistic average. If your household income is low overall, a Debt Relief Order is often a better fit than an IVA, and free advisers can help you apply.
Energy costs in a coastal town
Homes near the sea in Blyth can be exposed to strong winds and damp, and older properties can be costly to heat. Use your actual gas and electricity spending in your budget, based on your bills or meter top-ups over the last year. If you're on a prepayment meter and part of each top-up is going towards arrears, that should stop once the debt is included in your IVA or DRO.
How to reach us
We're based in Newcastle, about half an hour from Blyth, and handle all enquiries by phone and email, so you won't need to travel. Send the form at the top of this page and choose a time to be contacted that fits around your shifts or rotation. The enquiry is free and there's no obligation.
You can also get free, impartial advice from Citizens Advice Northumberland or through MoneyHelper.
Questions from working households
Can I get an IVA if I'm paid through an umbrella company?
Yes. Your take-home pay from the umbrella company is used as your income. Bring several months of payslips so an average can be worked out.
What if I'm offered a long contract abroad?
Talk to your supervisor first. Working abroad doesn't automatically end an IVA, but the arrangements need to be agreed in advance.
Do I have to live in Blyth itself?
No. The same options apply in Bedlington, Seaton Delaval, Ashington and across the rest of Northumberland.
Will my landlord be able to see my IVA?
Only if they search the Insolvency Register or run a credit check, which existing landlords rarely do.