One in five 25–34-year-olds plan to spend more on Halloween than last year

Despite the cost-of-living squeeze, new Nationwide research reveals that almost one in five (20%) 25–34-year-olds say they plan to “go big” this Halloween and spend more than they did last year, even though nearly a quarter (24%) of the same age group say they expect to spend less because of rising living costs. Among those…

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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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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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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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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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Over half of people not confident they can afford comfortable retirement

6th October 2026 Consumer Collections | #retirement

New polling from Independent Age has shown that 55% of adults under the age of 65 are not confident they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement. The charity, which today launches a new strategy and visual identity, says these findings should raise the alarm about the threat of poverty in later life…

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Government warned to act now to prevent another energy bills crisis

Energy UK has again warned the Government of the growing economic cost of failing to tackle high energy bills, with predictions pointing to the biggest rise in four years come January, while customers are in an even more challenging financial position. This week saw the current price cap, which runs until the end of December,…

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Energy prices expected to rise further in the New Year

Ahead of household energy bills rising by 4% from 1st October, Cornwall Insight have released new forecasts which suggest a bigger increase is on the way in the new year. The price cap is expected to rise by 16% compared to October, reaching £1,999 a year for a typical dual-fuel household¹ in January 2027, an…

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