The current form of IVA has been around since 1986 and was originally designed for the sole trader who found himself/herself in financial difficulties. This does still apply but it is more than often used for private individuals with debt problems where they are in a position to make payments towards clearing their debts within a formal arrangement. The process has become cumbersome and expensive and with the current national over-indebtedness problem, consideration is being given to creating a less expensive more user friendly process. The Insolvency Service set up a working party wiith reperesentatives from a variety of organisations to look into the problem. It has issued a consultative document for all of those parties with an interest in the success of IVAs have been invited to pass comment. The issue has been high on the list of activities of the IPC since its formation 6 years ago.