This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61437887

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
'I pawned my laptop to pay for food and petrol' 'We use pawnbrokers to be able to pay for food'
(about 4 hours later)
Zach was a plumber but now works as a roadside labourer Vicki, pictured with her partner Michael, says she uses a pawnbroker because her only alternative source of credit would be door step lending or loan sharks
"Eating and petrol. That's what I use the money for," says Zach. "Basically so we can buy food and just survive," says Vicki.
The 30-year-old from Chester is explaining how he spent the money he got after pawning his laptop. The 36-year-old from Chester is explaining how she used the money she got from pawning a games console.
As the cost of living rises, a new report suggests people on low incomes are pawning their possessions to pay for everyday essentials.As the cost of living rises, a new report suggests people on low incomes are pawning their possessions to pay for everyday essentials.
The National Pawnbrokers Association (NPA) says it will meet with the UK's finance watchdog next week to discuss the research.The National Pawnbrokers Association (NPA) says it will meet with the UK's finance watchdog next week to discuss the research.
The NPA is worried banks are shutting down pawnbroker accounts because of money laundering concerns and it wants the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to work with banks to resolve the issue.The NPA is worried banks are shutting down pawnbroker accounts because of money laundering concerns and it wants the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to work with banks to resolve the issue.
The number of pawnbrokers has fallen from more than 2,000 in 2014 to fewer than 900 last year.The number of pawnbrokers has fallen from more than 2,000 in 2014 to fewer than 900 last year.
The report from independent think tank the Social Market Foundation, which was paid for by the NPA, says pawnbroking is an "essential source of credit for some customers, who feel they have no alternative ways to borrow".The report from independent think tank the Social Market Foundation, which was paid for by the NPA, says pawnbroking is an "essential source of credit for some customers, who feel they have no alternative ways to borrow".
Why are prices rising so quickly?Why are prices rising so quickly?
'My tears over pawned jewellery''My tears over pawned jewellery'
Pawnbroker warns probe could spark loan shark rushPawnbroker warns probe could spark loan shark rush
Zach, who was a plumber but now works as a roadside labourer, agrees. Vicki, who describes herself as long-term disabled and receives around £480 a month in benefits, agrees.
"I'm not alone. There are a lot of people out there who are really struggling and facilities like this [pawnbrokers] are the only facilities that can help you [get finance]," he says. If she wasn't able to use pawnbrokers she says the only alternatives would be doorstep lending or loan sharks - illegal moneylenders who often charge very high interest rates. It's something Vicki has been forced to use before but never wants to do again.
"The only reservoir of finance I could find for my assets was the pawnbrokers. That was the only resource I had and if these guys weren't here I would have gone for weeks without [being able to pay for] food." "I used a loan shark for £100. I fell behind on one of the payments and the people came to my door and I was threatened," she says.
"For that £100 I ended up paying £700 back... because I missed one payment [so] I'd much rather use a pawnbrokers than a loan shark because you know what you're dealing with and I know I'm safe."
The NPA says the most common items pawned are electrical goods (phones, laptops and games consoles) and jewellery, with the average loan being around £300. Across the industry about 85% of items are redeemed by customers.The NPA says the most common items pawned are electrical goods (phones, laptops and games consoles) and jewellery, with the average loan being around £300. Across the industry about 85% of items are redeemed by customers.
How does pawnbroking work?How does pawnbroking work?
A pawnbroker is an individual person or shop which offers secured loans against people's personal possessions - most often items like electronics or jewellery.A pawnbroker is an individual person or shop which offers secured loans against people's personal possessions - most often items like electronics or jewellery.
The customer and pawnbroker agree an amount that can be loaned against the item and how much interest will be charged on the loan.The customer and pawnbroker agree an amount that can be loaned against the item and how much interest will be charged on the loan.
The customer then has up to six months to redeem the item and pay the agreed interest or, if it's not redeemed, the pawnbroker has the legal right to sell the item to recoup the original loan and interest.The customer then has up to six months to redeem the item and pay the agreed interest or, if it's not redeemed, the pawnbroker has the legal right to sell the item to recoup the original loan and interest.
Any surplus money earned from such a sale should be given to the customer.Any surplus money earned from such a sale should be given to the customer.
More information is available from the National Pawnbrokers Association. Consumer advice on pawnbroking is available from Citizens Advice and the Money and Pensions ServiceMore information is available from the National Pawnbrokers Association. Consumer advice on pawnbroking is available from Citizens Advice and the Money and Pensions Service
Vicki, who describes herself as long-term disabled and is unemployed, receives around £480 a month in benefits.
The 36-year-old has just redeemed her son's Xbox after pawning it a few weeks earlier to be able to pay for some food shopping.
"Basically [we use the pawnbrokers] so we can buy food and just survive," she tells the BBC. "The living situation is just horrible."
Vicki says a poor credit history and no permanent address means getting cheaper credit from something like a bank loan would be impossible.
If she wasn't able to use pawnbrokers she says the only alternative would be doorstep lending or loan sharks - illegal moneylenders who often charge very high interest rates. It's something Vicki has been forced to use before but never wants to do again.
Vicki and her partner Michael say they use a pawnbroker because their only alternative source of credit would be a loan shark
"I used a loan shark for £100. I fell behind on one of the payments and the people came to my door and I was threatened," she says.
"For that £100 I ended up paying £700 back... because I missed one payment [so] I'd much rather use a pawnbrokers than a loan shark because you know what you're dealing with and I know I'm safe."
Critics of pawnbrokers point out the high interest rates and low valuation of people's possessions as reasons why they're not a good source of finance for people on low incomes.Critics of pawnbrokers point out the high interest rates and low valuation of people's possessions as reasons why they're not a good source of finance for people on low incomes.
Around 10% a month interest is typical but it is charged by the day and the average length of a loan is four months.Around 10% a month interest is typical but it is charged by the day and the average length of a loan is four months.
Debt charity StepChange says it would rather have more alternatives available to people than high-cost credit but that pawnbroking can be a lot safer than many of the alternatives.Debt charity StepChange says it would rather have more alternatives available to people than high-cost credit but that pawnbroking can be a lot safer than many of the alternatives.
Paul Smit owns 20 pawnbrokers across the UKPaul Smit owns 20 pawnbrokers across the UK
Paul Smit, a former president of the National Pawnbrokers Association, will take part in the meeting with the FCA next week.Paul Smit, a former president of the National Pawnbrokers Association, will take part in the meeting with the FCA next week.
He says the Social Market Foundation report "highlights the societal role that pawnbrokers play in providing finance to those who would otherwise be excluded from legitimate finance and would be left with no alternative than illegal, unregulated loan sharks".He says the Social Market Foundation report "highlights the societal role that pawnbrokers play in providing finance to those who would otherwise be excluded from legitimate finance and would be left with no alternative than illegal, unregulated loan sharks".
"We hope and believe that, once the FCA appreciate that the loss of access to pawnbroking services would have a devastating effect on these people, that the FCA will work with the pawnbroking and banking industries, both of which they regulate, to agree an approach that will stop the closure of pawnbrokers' bank accounts by banks," he adds."We hope and believe that, once the FCA appreciate that the loss of access to pawnbroking services would have a devastating effect on these people, that the FCA will work with the pawnbroking and banking industries, both of which they regulate, to agree an approach that will stop the closure of pawnbrokers' bank accounts by banks," he adds.
UK Finance, which represents the banking industry, said it recognised the "valuable role" played by pawnbrokers in providing credit.UK Finance, which represents the banking industry, said it recognised the "valuable role" played by pawnbrokers in providing credit.
"All banks must follow strict regulations to deal with the risks of money laundering and financial crime," it said in a statement."All banks must follow strict regulations to deal with the risks of money laundering and financial crime," it said in a statement.
"Any decision to close an account is only taken after extensive review on a case-by-case basis.""Any decision to close an account is only taken after extensive review on a case-by-case basis."
You can hear more on this story on BBC Radio 4's Money Box programme at 12:00 BST on Saturday or listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds by clicking here shortly after broadcast. Update: This article has been amended to remove a case study for editorial reasons.
Follow Money Box and Dan on Twitter.