The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a review into the second charge mortgage market, finding that weaknesses in some firms’ practices could put borrowers, particularly those consolidating debt, at increased risk of financial harm. Second charge mortgages are often used by customers with high existing levels of debt and low financial resilience. The FCA’s…
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Lantern Group has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire specialist debt recovery law firm Ascent from Irwin Mitchell, subject to regulatory approval. The deal expands Lantern Group’s portfolio of regulated credit and recoveries businesses, which includes Lantern and Sonex. Ascent is recognised for its experience across collections and recoveries, litigation, enforcement, field…
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The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) says allowing five water companies to increase their customers’ bills even further will heap more pressure on households already struggling to absorb recent price hikes. CCW has responded to the final determinations of the Competition and Markets Authority which has ruled on the appeals made by five water companies – Anglian Water,…
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New Age analysis of DWP data has found that, despite the rise in women’s State Pension age, the number of female pensioners in the UK has fallen by 740,000 since 2010-11, while the number of women living in poverty has stayed steady at 1.1 million. Age UK warns that this is a failure of policy and…
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New research by StepChange Debt Charity reveals the long-term and harmful impact that coerced debt can have on someone’s credit record, in many cases preventing them from securing a home, mobile phone contract, car finance agreement, or even employment opportunities. Coerced debt is a form of economic abuse where the perpetrator coerces a victim into…
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New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that second charge mortgage new business volumes grew by 17% in 2025. Commenting on the latest new business figures for the second charge mortgage market, Fiona Hoyle, Director of Consumer & Mortgage Finance and Inclusion at the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), said “The…
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New figures published today by Registry Trust have shown that court judgment activity rose sharply in 2025, reaching its highest level since before the pandemic. A total of 1,196,174 new County Court Judgments (CCJs) were registered across the UK and Ireland in 2025 – a 10.1% increase year-on-year and the highest annual total since 2019, 1,163,903…
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New Compare the Market research has highlighted that the typical costs people may face when separating and setting up a home on their own, with total expenses ranging from £9,175 to £24,641, depending on housing and marital status. With 28.6 million households in the UK, married couples remain the most common family type, accounting for…
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Financial anxiety is significantly impacting the daily lives and well-being of millions of people across the UK, according to new research from financial education charity Money Ready. The study reveals that 39% of adults feel anxious when they think about money – and this anxiety extends into having a real effect on people’s wellbeing, behaviour…
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Energy regulator Ofgem has announced a 7% (or £117) reduction of the energy price cap for the period covering 1st April to 30th June 2026. This change amounts to a reduction of around £10 a month for the average household using both electricity and gas. The price cap refers to the default tariff applied when a…
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New figures published by StepChange Debt Charity Scotland have revealed that the average debt among people seeking help from the charity has reached on average £20,116 per client, a 10% rise year-on-year, and the highest level recorded in over a decade. Two in three clients were in arrears on their household bills, owing an average…
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Four in five (80%) of adults believe younger generations are worse off now than two decades ago, according to research from Hymans Robertson Personal Wealth. More than half (59%) blame the rising cost of living as a key pressure, while almost half (43%) highlight increasing housing costs. Surprisingly, almost three-quarters (74%) of over-55s say young…
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The average UK household is now spending nearly £119 per week on food shopping, according to new research by Confused.com, amounting to more than £6,000 per year. The research shows that the average food bill is £1,144 per year, or £22 per week, more expensive than in 2024, a 23% increase. This is significantly higher than…
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