If I receive a letter from a debt agency regarding a debt that is 9 years old do I still have to pay the debt? In the past I have made arrangements to pay the debt at £5 per week but the last time I made any arrangements regarding this was 4 years ago. In the letter it stated that bailiffs may come and remove articles from my home, but someone told me that they couldn't as this was illegal now! I am in Scotland, I say that because I know the law is different in England.

I am on incapacity benefit and there is no way I could afford to pay the £1000 they say they want. I would be grateful for any advice>

If you incurred a debt you have a legal and moral obligation to pay that debt, no matter how long ago you incurred it. Debts never expire. What does expire is the creditor's ability to use legal means (like seizing assets) to recover the debt. I don't know what the Statute of Limitations is for the UK or Scotland, you should be able to do an Internet search and find those. However, the SOL generally goes by last activity. So it you made payments 4 years ago and the SOL is 6 years, then they could sue you.

On the other hand, if your sole income is from disability payments, its possible those are exempt from attachment. You might consider consulting with a solicitor to advise you of your liability.