Nine in ten use AI to manage their finances

New analysis from Lloyds Banking Group finds that financial empowerment, having the confidence, capability and control to make informed financial decisions has no single UK postcode. Across the country, people are using digital tools and AI for different priorities, from budgeting and debt reduction to investing, saving and planning, with distinct regional patterns emerging. Nationally,…

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Major life events leave half financially vulnerable

More than half (52%) of adults aged 25-55 have experienced a major life event, such as redundancy, serious illness, bereavement, or relationship breakdown, in the last three years, according to new research commissioned by the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline. These events often have significant financial consequences, with one in five…

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Housing pressures, debt and pandemic scars holding back under-35s

New research by the Personal Finance Research Centre, University of Bristol, in partnership with StepChange Debt Charity and funded by NatWest Group, has revealed acute housing pressures, debt and lasting pandemic impacts affecting under-35s. According to the report, almost half (44%) of StepChange clients aged 18-34 surveyed have borrowed money to cover their housing costs.…

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ECB agrees consensual order with Whyte & Co

The Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) has agreed a consensual order with Paul Whyte and Julia Whyte, formerly the partners of Whyte & Co, under its Disciplinary and Sanctions Rules. Whyte & Co focused on collecting debt relating to council tax arrears, business rates, parking penalty charge notices and other local authority matters. The company ceased…

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Enforcement agents face 16 attacks or threats every day

12th October 2026 Consumer Collections | #enforcement

Enforcement agents in England and Wales face an average of 16 incidents of assault or threats of assault every day, according to a new report published today by the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA). The report  finds that violence against frontline agents is escalating and is routinely dismissed as an occupational hazard. CIVEA, the trade association…

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Four in ten unprepared for the financial impact of dementia

Fewer than one in ten (9%) adults with living parents have discussed how finances should be managed if they developed a condition such as dementia. This is despite more than half (53%) saying they would feel comfortable having the conversation, according to new research from Nationwide. A lack of preparedness means that nearly a quarter…

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Credit card defaults rise

Latest Bank of England data (Quarter 3 2026) has shown that credit card defaults increased in the three months to August, with banks and building societies expecting further rises by November, highlighting growing risks in unsecured lending. Within the overall figure, demand for credit card lending was unchanged. Mortgage defaults fell slightly and are expected…

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Thirteen years’ worth of inflation has left households £2,900 worse off

The past five years of a near-continuous cost of living crisis have caused the real incomes of typical working-age households to fall rather than grow, leaving them £2,900 (7.9 per cent) worse off this year compared to a world of normal inflation, according to new analysis published by the Resolution Foundation. The report Counting the…

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Half of young adults face housing insecurity due to lack of financial education

Half of young adults in the UK say a lack of financial education directly contributed to their housing struggles, according to new research published today by financial education charity Money Ready and funded by the Berkeley Foundation. Launched ahead of World Homeless Day, the findings highlight that millions of young people are entering the housing…

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Unexpected costs leave many households vulnerable

Households experiencing financial difficulties are struggling to build the financial resilience needed to cope with unexpected costs, leaving many vulnerable to being unable to pay for expenses such as car repairs, broken appliances and emergency dental treatment. This is a key finding from research by StepChange Debt Charity supported by PRA Group. Among the 1,600…

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Qualco UK appoints new CEO

8th October 2026 Appointments | #appointments

Qualco UK has announced a leadership transition that will see Christian Jacob step down as Managing Director at the end of 2026. Andrew Pritchard will become Chief Executive Officer (CEo) on 1st January 2027. Jacob founded Qualco UK in 2012. Following the transition, Jacob will remain with the wider Qualco Group in an advisory capacity…

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Household disposable income average increased to £39,200 in 2025

The average disposable household income across the UK rose by 3.5% to £39,200 in 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics  (ONS). The data showed that the median household disposable income for the poorest fifth of the population increased by 5.6% to £18,300, bringing it back in-line with FYE 2020 pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic levels.…

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Dramatic increase in consumers borrowing to pay bills

Intrum’s annual European Consumer Payment Report has shown that consumers can meet their immediate needs, but their reliance on borrowing has increased dramatically, suggesting that pressure is growing beneath the surface. The data showed that late payment levels have remained static; 72% of consumers have borrowed money or used credit to pay bills in the past…

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