I got a phone call from a lady at Alliance & Leicester to confirm that they had received the Income/Expense ladder I sent them. Seems I am in fact a case of genuine financial hardship! Bit worrying that they have confirmed what I thought possible, but it's certainly got things moving. The notes are below;


23/11/2007   2.40pm approx

Phone call from ***** @ Alliance & Leicester

Income/Expense ladder received

Charges withdrawn, vut account was withdrawn (cancelled) yesterday. Letter has been sent but I won't have received it yet.

Will Wait till monday then reinstate the account and refund all the accrued charges.



I'll phone them on Monday and ask for written confirmation that the above has been actioned. I now need to calculate the amount that should be in the account once all the charges are refunded. Time to dig out that Data Protection Disclosure!

If you encounter similar problems, don't wait for a form, simply draw up your own ladder. I've put a guide below;

Section 1 - Income

• Average Net Pay (Thats after Tax and N.I. is deducted, and excluding bonus and tips, specify whether or not its weekly or monthly)

• Average Bonus/Tips/Overtime

• same for your partner (but only if they live with you)

• Total household income (add up the above)

Section 2 - Expenses

List whichever of the following are relevant to you. Be sure to note any arrears that you may have

• Rent (monthly/weekly)

• Council Tax (monthly)

• Food (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Water (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Electricity (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Gas (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Other Fuel (not petrol) (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Telephone (inc. internet) (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Mobile phone (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Clothes (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Child Support (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Hire Purchases (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Petrol (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Vehicle maintenance costs (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Vehicle insurance (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Life Insurance (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Pet Insurance (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• Any Other Insurance (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• TV License (monthly/Weekly/Annually)

• List any other expenses in the same way

• Total expenses (add up all the above expenses)

Section 3 - Accounts Held with the Bank

• Details of accounts you hold with the bank you are writing to

• Specify: Account type, Balance, offer of repayment

Section 4 - Other Creditors

• Details of Creditors (if you have any)

• Specify: Name of Creditor, Amount outstanding (what you haven't paid back yet), Installment (monthly)

Section 5 - Statement of Fact

• Then state at the bottom that the above is true to the best if your knowledge, and that the bank may use the above and conduct further investigations in its evaluation of your claim of financial hardship.