Debt crisis: as it happened - February 1, 2012

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has urged the Government to consider a £20bn fiscal stimulus in the event of the eurozone break-up, saying a possible plan B should be outlined in the Budget.

EU-IMF debt inspectors in Athens delay talks on reforming Greece's labour market

ATHENS, Greece - International debt inspectors have delayed a meeting with the Greek government to discuss ways of reducing employment costs — a key sticking point in negotiations between the struggling eurozone country and its rescue creditors. The Labor Ministry said the inspectors from the Europe

Greece: debt inspectors delay labor talks

International debt inspectors have delayed a meeting with the Greek government to discuss ways of reducing employment costs — a key sticking point in negotiations between the struggling eurozone country and its rescue creditors.

What the new student loan plans mean for you

Unlike a mortgage, with student loans you don't have a tangible asset that you can sell to pay it off and unlike credit card debt, they're notoriously difficult to get rid of even through bankruptcy. Fortunately, two new programs are starting this year to help people tackle this debt.

Student loan debt keeps going up

Outstanding student loan debt surpassed $1 trillion in 2011, an amount that now exceeds what the entire nation owes in credit card debt. The amount of money owed on student loans has continued to rise, even as recession-minded consumers pay down debt elsewhere.