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Our key policy campaigns

Problem debt is much more than a personal issue. It damages families and ruptures communities.

We have helped over

7.5 million

people since 1993

Campaigning to reduce the risk of problem debt

We work to overcome the negative impact debt has on society by:

  • Helping people in debt get back on their feet
  • Raising awareness of the reality of living with debt
  • Campaigning for policies to prevent problem debt

With the support of our partners and stakeholders, we are recognised as the most trusted provider of free debt advice and solutions in the UK.

We champion policies that reduce financial harm and deliver the best in free debt advice and debt management.

In 2024, our research shows that:

  • Debt costs society in excess of £8 billion a year
  • 9 million UK adults have taken out credit to afford essentials
  • Around 52% of those in problem debt are in full-time employment
  • 82% of those struggling say debt negatively impacts their health
  • 50% say is negatively affects their relationships
  • 64% of people seeking debt advice from StepChange are women
  • Private renters are twice as likely to be in problem debt

Supporting people in problem debt: Priorities for the new Government

It’s been a difficult few years for household finances. Rising living costs, the pandemic and a housing emergency have resulted in over a quarter of UK adults struggling to cope financially. We’re calling for the new Government to place financial security at the heart of its legislative agenda over the next parliamentary session.

Our policy asks

tea cupOur campaign for 'Breathing Space'

We successfully campaigned for the government to introduce a comprehensive Breathing Space scheme in 2021.

  Read our former Chief Executive's blog about the announcement

'Breathing Space' supports people while they help with their debts from a regulated debt advice provider.

The scheme gives people up to 60 days without:

  • Contact from creditors
  • Enforcement action being taken
  • Any interest or fees added to their debts

This gives them time to get help and set up a solution.

Read our original recommendations in our Breathing Space report.

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

Media centre

 

Our press office can comment, arrange briefings or interviews with experts, and help facilitate case study requests with clients who are willing to share their experience in the media.

Visit the Media Centre

Consultation responses

We use our client experiences to regularly respond to consultations and discussion papers from the UK government, regulators and other relevant organisations.

Read our responses

Our work in Parliaments

We brief MPs, peers and MSPs, work with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Debt and Personal Finance, and lobby government on our evidence-led campaigns.

Read more

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

Contact our Policy Team: