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Press Releases

Sharing our views on problem debt in the UK.

Our expert insights

Our press releases highlight our views and insights on problem debt and the harm it causes in the UK.

If you'd like to receive updates from us, you can join our press list. Please email press@stepchange.org and include your name, position, and the organisation you represent.

Contact our Media Team (for journalists only):

  • 02073 914598 (Office hours)
  •  07985 404153 (Out of hours)

Latest Press Releases

2025

February

StepChange Debt Charity reports 82% rise in mortgage arrears - 6 February 2025

January

StepChange responds to the latest Money and Credit figures - 30 January 2025

Private renters still suffering financially, despite rent growth slowing says StepChange Debt Charity - 28 January 2025

Over 21 million people expect their financial position to worsen this year - 27 January 2025

12.5 million UK adults worried about ability to pay council tax as coalition calls to end imprisonment for non-payment - 23 January 2025

People increasingly struggling with energy bills, council tax and mortgage costs, says StepChange Scotland - 21 January 2025

2024

December

Rental market is driving financial hardship says StepChange responding to new Rightmove figures - 20 December 2024

StepChange welcomes Ofgem’s steps to consult on those in energy debt and financial hardship - 12 December 2024

More than one in four people will struggle to afford Christmas this year, with around 4 million relying on credit - 11 December 2024

November

StepChange responds to latest Bank of England Money and Credit data - 29 November 2024

Low pay, insecure work and housing costs causing debt problems for 18-24 year olds - 27 November 2024

StepChange reacts to Ofgem’s change in the energy price cap - 22 November 2024

Over half of private renters struggling to cover bills and credit commitments - 20 November 2024

One in four mortgage holders using credit to afford their mortgage payments - 7 November 2024

October

StepChange Debt Charity reacts to Budget - 30 October 2024

StepChange Debt Charity responds to the Enforcement Conduct Board’s research into body worn video footage - 29 October 2024

StepChange responds to changes in universal credit deductions - 26 October 2024

StepChange reacts to new BNPL regulation - 17 October 2024

Postcode lottery causing harrowing outcomes for people facing council tax arrears warns StepChange, as charity calls for urgent reform - 14 October 2024

September

Two in five Scots struggling with bills and credit commitments, as StepChange launches government-backed Debt Advice guide - 17 September 2024

August

StepChange responds to Bank of England Money and Credit statistics - 30 August 2024

StepChange Debt Charity responds to rise in the energy price cap - 23 August 2024

StepChange responds to first rate cut in over four years - 1 August 2024

July

Rise in council tax arrears among people seeking debt help in Scotland - 31 July 2024

StepChange responds to new Bank of England borrowing data - 29 July 2024

StepChange responds to record rise in private rents - 23 July 2024

Leeds based debt charity StepChange celebrates Pride - 22 July 2024

StepChange Debt Charity reacts to King’s Speech - 17 July 2024

Almost one in three expect household spending to increase in the next three months - 15 July 2024

StepChange responds to Bank of England Money and Credit statistics - 1 July 2024

June

One in four adults in Scotland using credit to cover essentials - 26 June 2024

StepChange appoints new Chief Operating Officer - 26 June 2024

Outstanding council tax debt reaches £6 billion - 19 June 2024

May

One in two private renters struggling to keep up with bills and credit commitments, as UK private rent prices continue to rise - 22 May 2024

One in four UK adults have recently borrowed money to pay for essentials - 20 May 2024

Polling: 1/4 mortgage holders use credit as mortgage arrears rise - 9 May 2024

April

StepChange responds to Bank of England Money and Credit statistics - 30 April 2024

One in five StepChange clients who are in work unable to make ends meet - 24 April 2024

StepChange responds to Bank of England Credit Conditions Survey - 11 April 2024

StepChange responds to new FCA Financial Lives survey - 10 April 2024

StepChange supports half a million people in its 30th year - 9 April 2024

StepChange responds to Money and Pensions Service’s debt advice strategy consultation - 8 April 2024

StepChange responds to new Bank of England borrowing data - 3 April 2024

March

Unsecured debt at its highest level for a decade, says StepChange - 27 March 2024

StepChange responds to Work and Pensions Select Committee report on benefits - 21 March 2024

StepChange responds to UK regulators’ joint letter on debt collection - 18 March 2024

Financially vulnerable renters need protections beyond proposed ban of 'no-fault' evictions - 13 March 2024

StepChange responds to Spring Budget - 6 March 2024

StepChange appoints new Chair of Trustees - 4 March 2024

February

StepChange responds to new Bank of England money and credit figures - 29 February 2024

StepChange responds to shocking new MaPS findings on the debt advice “gap” - 29 February 2024

Support still needed for struggling households, despite energy price cap fall, says StepChange - 23 February 2024

One in four mortgage holders have used credit to afford mortgage payments in the last 12 months - 8 February 2024

January

StepChange responds to the Bank of England’s latest Money and Credit statistics - 30 January 2024

One in eight people have borrowed money to make ends meet in the last 12 months - 30 January 2024

New poll reveals one in two people in Scotland worried about their financial situation - 23 January 2024

Two in five people say their household financial situation will get worse over the next 12 months - 16 January 2024

StepChange responds to Bank of England’s Money and Credit statistics - 4 January 2024

StepChange appoints new member to its Board of Trustees - 2 January 2024

Press release archive

2023

December

High interest rates will bring more hardship for households in 2024 -14 December 2023

Improving communications is key to more people accessing debt advice - 7 December 2023

November

More than one in three households with children will struggle to afford Christmas - 28 November 2023

StepChange responds to rise in energy price cap - 23 November 2023

StepChange reacts to Autumn Statement - 22 November 2023

StepChange begins recruitment for new Chair - 16 November 2023

Women are bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis in Scotland, says StepChange - 8 November 2023

Surge in women seeking debt advice who do not have enough to live on - 8 November 2023

October

StepChange responds to new FCA Buy Now, Pay Later research - 31 October 2023

StepChange responds to Bank of England Money and Credit statistics - 30 October 2023

Council tax and rent arrears on the rise among StepChange Scotland clients - 25 October 2023

StepChange responds to further rise in private rental prices - 18 October 2023

StepChange responds to proposed price cap rise to cover energy debts - 12 October 2023

September

StepChange responds to Bank of England Money and Credit statistics - 29 September 2023

Two in five people uncomfortable speaking to their mortgage lender or landlord about budget pressures - 25 September 2023

Pause in rate rises will bring relief, but housing costs most significant ‘pressure point’ for people’s finances, says StepChange - 21 September 2023

More than 1 in 3 private renters using credit to pay for rent - 20 September 2023

StepChange responds to outcome of Government consultation on insolvency regulation - 12 September 2023

August

StepChange responds to Bank of England’s Money and Credit figures- 30 August 2023

Drop in energy price cap will do little to alleviate pressure on households, says StepChange - 25 August 2023

StepChange responds to mortgage and landlord repossession statistics - 10 August 2023

StepChange responds to personal insolvency framework review - 4 August 2023

StepChange responds to base rate rise- 3 August 2023

StepChange responds to proposed Government ban on financial cold callers- 2 August 2023

July

StepChange responds to Bank of England’s Money and Credit figures - 31 July 2023

StepChange responds to FCA Financial Lives Survey - 26 July 2023

Debt charities warn of harmful misleading debt advice ads - 24 July 2023

Proportion of StepChange Scotland clients with mortgage arrears on the rise - 18 July 2023

StepChange responds to reports BNPL regulation could be delayed - 15 July 2023

StepChange sees increase in clients needing help with car finance debts - 11 July 2023

June

StepChange appoints three new members to its Board of Trustees - 29 June 2023

StepChange responds to Bank of England Money and Credit stats - 29 June 2023

Seven million mortgage holders struggling to keep up with household bills and credit commitments - 22 June 2023

Record rent levels leaving more tenants at risk of problem debt, says StepChange - 21 June 2023

StepChange wins two awards at the Credit Strategy Awards - 2 June 2023

StepChange responds to FCA’s Debt Packager referral fee ban - 2 June 2023

Cost of living remains biggest driver of problem debt, says StepChange Debt Charity - 1 June 2023

May

StepChange responds to FCA’s proposals to make permanent requirements on lenders to support borrowers in financial difficulty - 25 May 2023

StepChange responds to new inflation data - 24 May 2023

Private renters twice as likely to be in problem debt as general population - 23 May 2023

Some progress, but financially vulnerable tenants overlooked by Renters’ Reform Bill, says StepChange - 17 May 2023

StepChange responds to new FCA figures on struggling borrowers - 17 May 2023

Further interest rate rise ramps up pressure on mortgage holders and renters, says StepChange - 11 May 2023

New StepChange data: Demand for debt advice continues to rise - 4 May 2023

April

StepChange appoints Alex Pitcher as new Chief Risk Officer - 24 April 2023

Progress, but cost of living crisis ‘far from over’, says StepChange - 19 April 2023

Debt and arrears levels rocket among StepChange Scotland clients in 2022 - 19 April 2023

StepChange supports half a million people in 2022 - 18 April 2023

March

StepChange client debt levels up by 25% in 2022 - 29 March 2023

StepChange responds to rate rise - 23 March 2023

Debt Awareness Week: Five things you should know about debt advice - 22 March 2023

StepChange appoints Vikki Brownridge as new Chief Executive - 21 March 2023

One in six people has £20 or less to live on after paying for essentials each month - 20 March 2023

One in seven Scottish adults has £20 or less to live on after paying for essentials each month - 20 March 2023

StepChange responds to Budget - 15 March 2023

StepChange sees “startling” rise in demand for debt advice - 1 March 2023

February

StepChange comments on new IVA outcomes and providers statistics - 28 February 2023

Two in five people rationing essentials to keep up with credit repayments - 16 February 2023

Half of Scottish adults are struggling to keep up with essential bills - 16 February 2023

StepChange responds to launch of new Buy Now, Pay Later regulation proposals - 14 February 2023

StepChange backs FCA’s proposed Debt Packager referral fee ban - 2 February 2023

StepChange reacts to rate rise - 2 February 2023

January

Cost of living leaving more new clients struggling with essential bills - 31 January 2023

Almost a quarter of StepChange Scotland clients report the cost of living as the driver of their debt problems - 26 January 2023

StepChange Debt Charity marks 30 years of providing free debt advice - 25 January 2023

Cost of living pressures continue to weigh heavily on new StepChange clients - 4 January 2023

December 2022

StepChange CEO announces decision to leave in 2023 - 19 December 2022

StepChange reacts to rate rise - 15 December 2022

Government must step up to secure important bailiff reforms - 13 December 2022

Proportion of those who say they can afford Christmas has nearly halved since last year - 7 December 2022

Charlotte Chambers, currently Senior Director - Ecommerce Technology at supermarket chain Asda, is to join StepChange Debt Charity as Chief Technology and Information Officer on 20 March 2023 after a thorough and competitive recruitment process - 1 December 2022

November 2022

Proportion of clients with energy arrears falls, but cost of living still driving new clients to StepChange - 29 November 2022

StepChange reacts to Autumn Statement - 17 November 2022

StepChange responds to FCA’s report outlining treatment of borrowers in financial difficulty following pandemic - 3 November 2022

StepChange comments on rate rise - 3 November 2022

October 2022

Cost of living remains most commonly cited cause of debt among StepChange clients in September - 31 October 2022

Cost of living now number one cause of debt for StepChange Scotland clients - 20 October 2022

Gambling needs more holistic management to reduce harm when it causes debt, new research suggests - 18 October 2022

StepChange welcomes Google crackdown on advertisers, but root cause IVA problems remain - 10 October 2022

One in two people struggling to keep up with essential bills – triple the pre-pandemic number - 6 October 2022

September 2022

Cost of living remains most common reason for debt among new StepChange clients - 30 September 2022

Effective creditor communication key to helping consumers in financial difficulty, says StepChange - 29 September 2022

StepChange reacts to mini-budget - 23 September 2022

StepChange reaction to rate rise - 22 September 2022

StepChange reaction to energy support package - 8 September 2022

August 2022

Cost of living pressures continue to drive new clients to StepChange - 30 August 2022

StepChange reacts to new energy price cap - 26 August 2022

StepChange responds to new inflation data - 17 August 2022

StepChange says rate rise adds to cost of living woes for people experiencing debt - 4 August 2022

July 2022

For the first time, rising cost of living cited as most common reason for debt in June - 29 July 2022

StepChange says FCA consumer duty will create valuable cultural shift - 27 July 2022

StepChange reports positive client outcomes during first year of Breathing Space - 21 July 2022

Over a third of parents worried their finances will suffer during summer holidays - 19 July 2022

Half a million people supported by StepChange in 2021 - 13 July 2022

StepChange responds to new FCA and MoneyHelper research - 6 July 2022

StepChange wins Debt Advice Provider of the Year at the Credit Strategy Awards - 1 July 2022

June 2022

StepChange calls for pause on Universal Credit deductions for Government debt during Cost of Living crisis - 30 June 2022

StepChange welcomes Committee of Advertising Practice enforcement on misleading IVA and PTD ads - 23 June 2022

StepChange comments on inflation data - 22 June 2022

StepChange comments on rate rise and FCA cost of living reminder to firms - 16 June 2022

May 2022

Cost of living pressures continue to drive new clients to StepChange - 31 May 2022

StepChange reaction to Chancellor’s cost of living support package - 26 May 2022

StepChange Financial Solutions wins Best Equity Release Broker at Mortgage Strategy Awards - 26 May 2022

StepChange comments on inflation: “a driver of debt” - 18 May 2022

StepChange Scotland reports client average arrears on essential bills increased by 29% in one year - 12 May 2021

Further base rate rise ramps up pressure on low income households, says StepChange - 5 May 2022

Cost of living pressure rising as a cause of debt, as borrowing increases in March - 4 May 2022

April 2022

StepChange responds to new FCA strategy - 7 April 2022

Client statistics: Times were already hard for many before the latest cost of living crisis - 7 April 2022

March 2022

More clients cite cost of living as reason for debt, says StepChange - 29 March 2022

StepChange reacts to Spring Statement - 23 March 2022

StepChange reveals 2022-25 strategy against background of changes in debt advice - 22 March

One in five people expects to be driven into problem debt this year - 21 March

How the pandemic affected outcomes from debt advice - 3 March

Cost of living now in top 5 reasons for debt, reports StepChange Debt Charity - 1 March

February 2022

StepChange responds on FCA BNPL interventions - 14 February

StepChange and OVO Energy announce £2 million package of additional support - 7 February

Price cap rise to push more StepChange clients into negative budgets – even after support - 3 February

January 2022

One in three people struggling to keep up with bills and credit commitments – double the pre-pandemic number - 20 January

Consumers using BNPL are much more likely to be struggling, finds StepChange - 6 January

New November data already shows worrying trends reflecting cost of living - even before Christmas pressures - 4 January

Related links

Thought leadership

Our blog highlights the trends our team sees, and uses in-depth data, research and insights to suggest ways to improve the lives of society's financially vulnerable.

Visit the Medium blog for more

Client stories

Learn more about how the work we do impacts real people. Read our collection of personal testimonials from StepChange clients who made it to the other side of problem debt.

Read our client stories

Research and statistics

Our client data and research over the last decade highlights debt trends in the UK. These insights into the causes and consequences of problem debt inform our campaign and policy work.

Read our debt research

Policy and campaigns

Advocating for evidence-backed financial reform across the UK, working with parliaments, briefing ministers, and responding to consultations.

Go to policy and campaigns