Breathing Space
Breathing Space gives you legal protection from creditor contact, action and most interest for up to 60 days while you get proper debt help.
Overview
The Breathing Space scheme (formally the Debt Respite Scheme) is a government-backed measure that pauses creditor pressure while you take stock. It's applied for through a qualified debt adviser.
During the 60-day standard Breathing Space, creditors can't contact you about the paused debts, can't take enforcement action, and most interest and charges are frozen.
It's not a debt solution in itself — it's a protected window to work out what to do next. A separate Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space lasts for as long as your crisis treatment plus 30 days.
Who it's suitable for
- You need time to gather information and think clearly
- You're being pursued by multiple creditors at once
- You're waiting for advice on a longer-term solution
- You're receiving mental health crisis treatment (for the Mental Health variant)
Advantages
- Creditor contact and enforcement paused
- Most interest, fees and charges frozen for the period
- Time to seek and act on debt help without pressure
- Available once every 12 months for standard Breathing Space
- Mental Health Breathing Space lasts as long as the crisis treatment
Disadvantages
- It's temporary — debts still exist at the end
- You must be engaging with a qualified debt adviser
- It's recorded on the private Breathing Space register
- Ongoing bills (rent, utilities, council tax) still need to be paid
- Not available for every type of debt
Eligibility
General criteria — an adviser will confirm what applies to your circumstances.
- You live in England or Wales
- You can't (or are unlikely to be able to) repay your debts
- You haven't had standard Breathing Space in the last 12 months
- You're receiving debt help from a qualified provider
Example
Sam, 41 — Leeds
After redundancy, Sam started missing payments and was receiving daily calls and letters. They needed space to think through options with an adviser.
Illustrative only. Names and figures are examples, not real customers.
How it compares
A quick side-by-side of the main UK debt solutions.
| Solution | Region | Duration | Debt written off? | Credit impact | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt Management Plan | UK-wide | Flexible | No | Moderate | Informal |
| IVA | Eng, Wal, NI | 5–6 years | Yes (remainder) | 6 years | Formal |
| Debt Relief Order | Eng, Wal, NI | 12 months | Yes (after 12m) | 6 years | Formal |
| Bankruptcy | UK-wide | ~12 months | Yes | 6 years | Formal |
| Breathing Space | Eng, Wal | 60 days | No | Low | Temporary |
| Token Payments | UK-wide | Short-term | No | Moderate | Informal |
| Full & Final Settlement | UK-wide | One-off | Partial | Moderate–High | Informal |
Frequently asked questions
Not sure where to start? We'll walk you through it.
A quick, confidential chat with a friendly advisor. No pressure, no jargon — just a clear picture of the options that suit your situation.