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Houses of Parliament

Our work in parliaments

Working with parliamentarians on policy briefings, events and constituency debt trends.

We have helped over

7.5 million

people since 1993

 

As the UK’s largest specialist provider of free and independent debt advice we speak up for all who are affected by problem debt, right across society.

We provide briefings for MPs, peers and MSPs, work with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Debt and Personal Finance, and lobby government on our evidence-led campaigns. We also provide practical resources so MPs can work with us to make a real difference to constituents’ lives.

Election Manifesto Asks 2024

This election year, we need to see a real commitment to change for the 3.5 million people struggling with problem debt. After years of cost of living pressures, the next Government must place financial security at the heart of its agenda.

Read more about our 2024 asks here

What we do in Parliaments

Making the case for council tax reform

Calling for an end to imprisonment for council tax debt

A coalition of organisations including StepChange Debt Charity, Christians Against Poverty, Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, Money Advice Trust and six others has written to the Government reiterating a call to end imprisonment for non-payment of council tax. The coalition claims the rule is “outdated” and “disproportionate,” as it continues to campaign for reform of council tax regulations.

Read the letter to The Rt Hon David Gauke

Engagement with the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Alongside seven debt advice, money and research sector partners, StepChange wrote to Florence Eshalomi MP – the Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee – on 2 December 2024, to raise the urgent case for council tax reform.

This coalition of organisations are working together to campaign on this issue, to urge central government to lead the change required to bring about fairer and more supportive council tax collection practices.

You can read more about StepChange’s evidence on our clients’ experiences of the council tax debt collection journey here.

Read the letter here

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Debt and Personal Finance

We provide the Secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Debt and Personal Finance, which brings together MPs, peers and stakeholders to discuss, debate and campaign on issues affecting household debt and family finances. There are over 30 members of the group, from both Houses of Parliament and across the political spectrum.

How we help your constituents

We offer free debt advice online or by telephone.

We provide the UK’s most comprehensive debt advice service, basing our advice and recommendations on our clients' individual needs. We support our clients for as long as they need us, by providing budgeting advice, a wide range of debt solutions and other debt counselling services. Since 1993 we have helped more than 7.5 million people take back control of their finances.

We also undertake research around debt, using our clients’ experiences to advocate for legislative and regulatory change.

We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Find out more about us here.

What is debt advice?

Debt advice is when an impartial expert looks at a person's finances and helps them get back on track. It usually includes:


  • Setting up a monthly budget
  • Suggesting ways to reduce spending
  • Looking at ways to increase income
  • Explaining what could happen if debts are not paid
  • Identifying priority debts
  • Explaining potential debt solutions and ways to deal with debts

Debt advice resources

Download and share our literature with staff and constituents.

Campaign with us

We speak up for all who are affected by problem debt, right across society through our policy recommendations and campaigns. Our reports raise key policy issues and set out practical, high impact solutions.

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

Key policy campaigns

Find out how we're leveraging our insights to champion policies that reduce financial harm, reduced the negative impact of debt on society, and deliver free debt advice and management.

Learn more

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

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: