Two thirds feel that the economy will worsen in 2026

A KPMG survey has found that two-thirds of people believe the economy is worsening.  Despite almost no change in how households feel about their own finances throughout the past year, 2025 saw a steep decline in sentiment towards the economy. Entering 2026, the majority of people (56%) feel secure in their personal finances, a 1%…

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More than half of couples consider staying together for the sake of the finances

More than half of couples would consider staying together for the sake of the finances, with only 40% of people stating that they would never stay in a bad relationship for financial reasons, according to research by Opinium for Hargreaves Lansdown. The first Monday back to work after Christmas has been dubbed ‘Divorce Day,’ because…

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Households cut back on Christmas spending

Data from Vanquis’ Financial Wellbeing Index found that one in five households earning under £40,000 had planned to cut back on Christmas spending in 2025. Across all households, the Index revealed that people were most likely to trim back on treats like eating out and parties while doing their best to protect essentials such as…

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Personal insolvencies increase by 12%

Latest monthly figures from the Insolvency Service for England & Wales have indicated that personal insolvencies decreased by 12% in November 2025 to a total of 9,343 compared to the October 2025 figure of 10,612.  The Insolvency Service moved to a new case management system on 1st  November 2025. As a result, there was a…

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Six in ten say Christmas traditions’ under threat due to cost of living

More than six in ten (62%) parents believe a traditional Christmas is under threat due to the cost of living, with four in ten (40%) having to prioritise essential bills over festive spending, new research from Nationwide reveals. The poll of over 1,000 parents, done in partnership with charity Action for Children, also reveals that 42…

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Consumer confidence rises despite tax hikes

Consumer confidence improved in December, rising to minus 17 from minus 19, according to data. from GfK. The index measuring changes in personal finances over the last 12 months has increased by one point to -6. This is one point higher than December 2024. The forecast for personal finances over the next year is up one point to 2. This is an…

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‘Pay Per Plate Christmas’ as festive dinner cost hits £254

Rising costs are reshaping Christmas traditions, with a quarter of people (24%) now believing you should be able to charge guests for Christmas dinner, an emerging trend dubbed the Pay Per Plate Christmas.  Among 18 to 24 year olds, 42% say hosts should be allowed to charge, compared to 36% of 25 to 44 year…

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Third of consumers plan to spend more this Christmas

Around one in three consumers (30%) in the UK are planning to spend more this Christmas compared with last year, according to new Deloitte research. This is higher than the rest of Europe, where less than a quarter (23%) plan to spend more. In the UK, younger consumers aged 18-34 are nearly twice as likely…

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Scottish fintech programme to help ageing population financially prepare for later life 

FinTech Scotland is aiming to help address the growing link between people’s financial situation and their health in later life with the launch of a new initiative that will accelerate innovation through the development of new research, technologies, and services. The Finance and Health Lab will bring together financial services firms, fintechs, academia, government, health specialists,…

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Second charge mortgages grew by 22% in October 2025

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that second charge mortgage new business volumes grew by 22% in October 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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Four in ten cut back on Christmas gifts

New research from financial wellbeing business Loqboxr has revealed a major shift in how  families are approaching Christmas this year, with four in ten planning to buy fewer gifts and a quarter saying the season has become ‘too materialistic.’ Rather than these changes taking the shine off the season, this shift shows families are choosing…

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Rate of child poverty set to fall for the first time in nine years

The package of measures announced in the Government’s Child Poverty Strategy – including the abolition of the two-child limit on benefit support and an expanded Free School Meals offer – will result in child poverty rates falling in 2026-27, the first time in nine years (outside the pandemic), according to new analysis by the Resolution…

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Households face higher energy bills as Ofgem launches £28bn grid upgrade

5th December 2025 Consumer Collections | #energy bills

Ofgem has announced that household energy bills will rise to help fund a £28 billion investment to upgrade the UK’s energy network. The energy regulator said that it has approved more than £17.8 billion of spending plans to upgrade gas transmission and distribution networks in the five years from April 2026. The remaining initial investment…

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