Office workers in the north are being forced into debt because of significantly lower salary levels, according to a survey.

And this factor has brought more cries for help from people living in the north, according to David Nixon, co-director of debt assistance company Chiltern Services.

Results of the survey, published by national recruitment consultancy Select Appointments, suggests that although wages for most office jobs have risen overall in line with inflation, the findings have not highlighted the significant regional variations which exist.

Mr Nixon said: "Today's 'credit culture' means that people across the country are vulnerable to debt problems, especially if they experience a change in circumstances such as redundancy or divorce. However, the differences in income level between the north and south is a factor resulting in Chiltern Services receiving a significantly higher proportion of new calls from customers living in the north of England."

The survey showed that office workers in the south were earning almost 30 per cent more than their counterparts in the north. Examples of this included senior PAs/secretaries in the south earning between £17,500 and £23,000 whereas the equivalent salary in the north west was just under £13,500.

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