Cost of Living & Debt
How the cost-of-living pressure is turning into debt for households that were previously coping — and the immediate steps to take.
First steps for a household that used to cope
A benefits check, an energy check, a bills renegotiation and — if needed — a call to free debt help. In that order.
Read the full guideThe Household Support Fund and local welfare help
Every council in England runs a Household Support Fund — the details vary but the principle is the same.
Read the full guideRelated guides
Similar topics you may find helpful
Explore related debt topics like mortgage arrears, council tax debt and more — all written in plain English.
Debts for the Self-Employed
Self-employed people face specific pressures — variable income, tax bills, and the blurring of business and personal debts.
2 guidesStudent Loans
UK student loans (Plans 1, 2, 4, 5 and Postgraduate) work like income-contingent repayment obligations rather than typical debts.
2 guidesDebts for Pensioners
Fixed retirement income and rising living costs are combining to push more pensioners into debt. Extra support exists — and is often unclaimed.
2 guidesDebts for Students
Beyond the student loan, students face overdrafts, credit cards and rising rent arrears. The rules for tackling them are the same.
2 guidesBusiness Debts
Sole trader debts are personal debts. Limited company debts are separate — until a personal guarantee is signed.
2 guidesGambling & Debt
Gambling-related debt often hides behind other borrowing. The route out is treatment and structured debt help together, not one without the other.
2 guidesNot sure where to start? We'll walk you through it.
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