Over 60% of people currently have at least one unpaid credit card or loan, while 71% of those who said they have at least one unpaid credit card or loan have said that they have been in continuous debt for more than five years.

Mark Pearson, founder of discount site HushHush.com, said: “I was always taught that credit – or borrowing of any kind – is there for emergencies and not to be used frivolously.

“Given that so many of us are guilty of paying for products and services we really don’t need with borrowed money, it’s only a small leap to pay for household bills using credit, which an alarming number of people seemingly do.”

Typically, most debts are racked up through spend on high-cost household appliances (12%), fashion purchases (9%), and household bills (18%). A small percentage said they use their credit cards to pay for items that cost under £10.

Nearly 20% of respondents admitted that they’d taken out payday loans in the past to pay household bills, whilst 28% also said that they frequently borrow from friends and/or family to pay for necessities such as groceries and regular bills.

Those in the South East are most likely to pay their bills using credit (24%), with only 31% of those asked knowing how much they are paying in interest.

Pearson added: “We recommend people look for areas they can cut unnecessary expenditure before they resort to borrowing money from friends and family or using credit to pay bills. It’s a slippery slope and a cycle that is notoriously hard to break once you start.

“The Citizens Advice Bureau can help people manage their spending better and negotiate with debtors on your behalf, so if you really can’t see a way out, they might be a good place to begin.”