We aim to make our website as accessible as possible. However if you use a screen reader and require debt advice you may find it easier to phone us instead. Our phone number is 0 8 0 0 1 3 8 1 1 1 1. Freephone (including all mobiles).
a debt advisor listening to a call through a headset

620,000 people were helped by us in 2017


Download the 2017 report

Looking for the most recent annual report?

This page gives a summary of our 2017 annual report and accounts. You can find the latest details in our Impact Report and Annual Report and Accounts 2018.

Annual Report and Accounts 2017

We’ve been helping people with problem debt for 25 years, providing the UK’s most comprehensive debt advice service. We help people take back control of their finances and their lives. We campaign to prevent problem debt and reduce the harm that it causes.

Our Annual Report and Accounts gives a summary of progress on our key charitable objectives, our strategic priorities for 2018 and an overview of the charity's finances. It also reveals the impact our work makes on people's lives and the rising demand for our services.

Tackling debt for 25 years

We first opened our doors 25 years ago. In 2017, we helped more people than ever before by delivering free, expert and non-judgmental help to 620,000 people.


620,000 people were helped by us in 2017

Delivering advice online

We’re the only debt advice provider offering individually tailored debt advice online, giving people access to the help they need 24/7. In 2017 we delivered 357,000 debt advice sessions, and an incredible 57% of our clients chose to get advice online rather than seek advice over the phone.

357,000 debt advice sessions delivered

Our website also provides an extensive library of information and advice on debt and money worries, as well as a blog to support clients with budgeting and money advice.

We also help people recognise the signs of problem debt with a 60-second debt test and to enhance their financial capability with our ‘7 Days, 7 Ways’ email advice programme.

21,000 clients became free from problem debt, £418m of debt was repaid with our support, £102m of debt was written off for our clients

A year full of campaign successes

Our campaigning, influencing and partnership work also helps prevent problem debt by influencing change in industry practice, regulation and government policy.

We secured manifesto commitments for a Breathing Space scheme from the two main parties during the 2017 General Election and later in the year, the government made a commitment to introduce the scheme by 2020.

Our savings campaign also contributed to the introduction of the government’s Help to Save scheme, which has been rolling out across 2018 and offers those on a low income a 50% boost to their savings.

To find out more download the full report.

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