Almost half (48% or 153 councils) of local authorities in England and Wales increased their use of bailiffs to collect council tax debt in 2025/26, according to new Freedom of Information research by National Debtline as part of our latest Stop the Knock campaign. Our research also revealed a reduction in protections for some of…
Debt
The cost of living crisis is no longer a one-off event. It’s a monthly reality for millions. We need to turn the tide on energy, housing and debt, before it’s too late.
https://wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/its-time-to-turn-the-tide-8a6c1ac2a82f Crisis has become the new normal. Millions of households face a relentless financial squeeze that feels like it never stops. At Citizens Advice, our advisers do all they can to help people find a way forward. But prices keep rising faster than incomes, pushing household debt levels ever higher. Half the people who come to…
Credit card debt in the UK
Total debtIn May 2024, the total outstanding credit card debt in the UK was £70.6 billion, which is a 6.92% increase from the previous year. This equates to an average of £2,487 per household and £1,316 per adult. Annual growth rateIn August 2023, the annual growth rate of credit card debt was 8%, which is…
Mental Health & Debt
No debt problems are unsolvable. It might not be easy or quick, but there’s always a route. When mental health problems are involved, some special solutions apply. Free PDF booklet to download https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/mental-health-guide/
Debt problems & help available
What to do & where to get support
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/debt-help-plan/ The cost-of-living crisis means more and more people are struggling with debt. But even if you’re struggling to make ends meet, your debt problem isn’t unsolvable. It might not be easy or quick to resolve, but there’s always a route. And the earlier you tackle your debts, the easier they are to deal with….
You are about to start debt advice with StepChange
https://www.stepchange.org/setting-expectations.aspx Once you have told us about your finances, we will work out your budget and then give you your free, personalised debt advice. If you can’t get hold of all the information right now, you can always save your progress and carry on with things later.
Balance transfer credit cards
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/balance-transfer-credit-cards/ Paying credit card interest? STOP. A balance transfer credit card can save you £1,000s by slashing the interest you pay. Our guide has full info and top picks, plus our Balance Transfer Eligibility Calculator will reveal the cards you’ve the best odds of getting.
New research from the Money Advice Trust and Centre for Social Justice shows scale of council bailiff use
https://moneyadvicetrust.org/latest-news/more-than-2-7-million-debts-referred-to-bailiffs-by-councils-in-2022-23/ More than 2.7 million debts were referred to bailiffs by local authorities in England and Wales during the 2022/23 financial year, according to new research conducted by the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline, and the Centre for Social Justice think-tank. The findings, based on Freedom of Information requests to local…
Amounts owed for essentials increasing
https://moneyadvicetrust.org/latest-news/6-8-million-people-struggling-to-pay-for-essentials-despite-falling-inflation/ The charity says its findings point to an increased debt burden for the most essential costs, which if unpaid can have severe consequences. Amongst callers to National Debtline: The average amount owed in rent arrears has increased by 21 percent in the last year, now standing at £1,904. The average amount owed in energy…
The number of debt relief orders (DROs) in England and Wales has reached a record high
Total of more than 4,000 DROs granted in June 2024 represents a 15 per cent increase on previous month’s record high, and is more than double the long-term average https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/individual-insolvency-statistics-june-2024