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…
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Two in five British adults expect their finances to worsen over the next year with energy bills driving concerns
New research from StepChange Debt Charity has revealed growing concern about household finances, with millions of people worried about how they will cope as energy costs are expected to rise ahead of winter. These statistics come as Ofgem is expected to announce a rise in the energy price cap from October, before households have felt…
Responding to the latest Ofgem price cap, Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:
Responding to the latest Ofgem price cap, Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Today’s price cap rise pushes energy prices to a three year high. It’s another sign of the relentless erosion of living standards across the country: energy bills are simply too high, prices leapfrog incomes, and debt levels continue to…
Find out what deprivation decile where you live falls into
https://imd2025.co.uk/map2025/
This year’s Universal Credit uplift means that the basic rate of unemployment benefits will go up by more than inflation for the first time since 1983.
This year’s Universal Credit uplift means that the basic rate of unemployment benefits will go up by more than inflation for the first time since 1983. But the real-terms value of unemployment benefit is still 5% lower than in 2010-11. By contrast, State Pension rose by 20% over the same period.
Millions in England to pay higher water bills after suppliers appeal
Anglian, Southern, Wessex and South East allowed to raise charges more than originally permitted by watchdog
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/10/england-higher-water-bills-anglian-southern-wessex-south-east?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other Millions of households in England will pay even higher water bills than previously expected, after the competition regulator gave its final verdict on industry spending plans for the coming years. Five water companies had appealed to the Competition and Markets Authority to let them raise bills higher than was initially allowed by Ofwat, the…
Keir Starmer will not overhaul welfare system for at least a year
The postponement makes it less likely that any controversial policies would be implemented before the next general election
https://www.thetimes.com/article/641438af-569e-4c12-bd71-71c58cdfed10?shareToken=2e022bc361cf6642e845ebcbd05fe832 Sir Keir Starmer has vetoed plans for a fresh attempt to reform Britain’s welfare system as Downing Street seeks to avoid another confrontation with Labour MPs. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has been told it will not be given time in parliament to introduce any new changes to the benefits system until…
Top 5 scams you need to know
It’s not always easy to spot scams. Scammers are coming up with new ways to manipulate people, which is why it’s important you know which signs to look out for and what steps you can take to protect yourself. Use our online tool to check if something might be a scam and find out more…
Rachel Reeves’s autumn budget will take place on 26 November
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/03/rachel-reeves-autumn-budget-tax-increases Rachel Reeves acknowledged that the UK economy is “not working well enough for working people” as she announced that her second budget will take place on 26 November, amid mounting speculation over tax increases. The later than usual date will probably lead to weeks of speculation about how the Treasury will raise additional revenue…
Since 2013, private rents in Great Britain have increased by 54 per cent
Since 2013, private rents in Great Britain have increased by 54 per cent, but Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates have increased by just 36 per cent. Nearly half of privately renting families on Universal Credit are facing shortfalls between their rent and Local Housing Allowance.