Can they ask for more?

I assumed that as i had not heard back from a company i wrote to as i was in a bit of financial bother they had accepted my situation. However i have now had a letter from a debt collector asking for nearly 拢350.00.I am not in any serious debt and am managing my finances and accept I owe the original company money, but i only have 拢8.00 PW spare.
Our only luxury is having a full virgin media package and I pay 拢30 pw for that (i am a loan parent on benefits at the moment), so if i offer the debt collectors the 拢8 can they ask for more because of the amount i pay for a luxury, my children also dont have pocket money, instead they choose to have kids channels for their entertainment.

should of mentioned that its not just a tv package but internet and landline also

I work for a large debt collection agency at the moment, they will attempt to get the balance in full from you when you phone the DCA, and then will gradually work their way down to instalment arrangements.

Simply offer a pound a week or something and they'll say "No, unfortunately I need at least 拢20W"

Then you say, "I can do 拢4W" and so on - the art of negotiation till you get to a figure you are both happy with :)

Yes they can ask for more but if you can prove that you cant afford to pay any more then they will usually accept what you can afford. 拢30pw is alot, am sure if you shopped around you could get a better deal on your tv package and keep the kids channels as well.

Its difficult. but I'm sure as long as they get their money, It does make a difference when you have children, and they know that. Good luck

Speak to the citizens advice bureau and the credit union. They are non-profit organisations and will give you great advice. Start with their websites and see what you can learn.