Mortgage arrears growth stalls for first time since 2022

New research by Pepper Advantage has found that in Q1, the data reveals that the overall arrears growth rate across residential and buy-to-let (BTL) mortgages was at 0.0%, primarily driven by improvement in the buy-to-let market. The data, which consolidates and analyses data from across the UK, shows that BTL arrears growth fell for the first…

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Arrears on household bills in Scotland jumps 65%

Household bill arrears among StepChange Scotland clients have surged to an average of £5,193, according to the charity’s newly published 2024 Scotland in the Red report, marking a staggering 65% increase from £3,147 in 2023. Nearly seven in ten (68%) of those seeking help from StepChange Scotland are now behind on essential household bills. The…

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Personal insolvency numbers fall by 7%

Latest monthly figures from the Insolvency Service for England & Wales have indicated that there were 9,205 personal insolvencies in England and Wales during March 2025, which was 7% lower than in February 2025 but 2% higher than in March 2024. The personal insolvencies consisted of 613 bankruptcies, 3,490 debt relief orders (DROs) and 5,102…

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Personal insolvencies in Scotland fall by 8.3%

Latest annual data analysis by the Accountant in Bankruptcy has shown that there were 7,412 personal insolvencies in Scotland in the year 2024-2025. This was a decrease of 8.3% from 2023-2024’s figure of 8,082, and a decrease of 7.4% on 2022-2023’s figure of 8,001. Quarterly figures (Q4, 2024-25) showed that there were 1,673 personal insolvencies…

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Policymakers and stakeholders call for better protections for in-debt survivors of abuse

24th April 2025 Arrears and Recoveries |

MPs, Government Department Officials and supporting organisation in Parliament have joined a call for urgent changes that would support a fresh financial start for in-debt survivors of domestic, economic and digital abuse so they are better protected. The roundtable, hosted and chaired by Emily Darlington MP, focused on the Persons At Risk of Violence (PARV) order process – the…

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12.3m households delaying home maintenance work due to the cost of living

An estimated 12.3 million households have had to put off some form of home maintenance work because of the cost of living crisis, according to new research by Go.Compare home insurance, The figures show that around two-fifths (43%) of residents have had to delay these types of jobs due to rising costs. This means millions…

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Household finances in worst state since pandemic

New research by Lowell and Opinium has found that household finances are now in a worst state since pandemic. The research shows after years of high inflation, traditionally affluent areas populated by middle-income families have seen the biggest erosion of their financial security.   The data shows that six in ten households lack sufficient savings…

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Second charge mortgages grew by 9% in February

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that second-charge mortgage new business volumes grew by 9% in February 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 second charge…

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Birmingham’s residents hardest hit by increase in council tax

Birmingham’s residents are set to be hit hardest by rising council tax rates for 2025/26, new research by Go.Compare Home Insurance has found. Households across the city will pay an extra £43.1 million this tax year – the largest overall increase of any local authority in England.[ The country can expect a total council tax…

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Consumer confidence remained flat in Q1

A consumer confidence survey by Deloitte has shown that consumer confidence remained flat in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025. The data showed a marginal 0.3 percentage point increase, this marks a second consecutive quarter of stalled confidence following a two-year period of improvement. A seasonal boost in sentiment towards general health and wellbeing (+3.8…

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FCA probes banks on bereavement and power of attorney policies

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has highlighted that banks and building societies can improve how they treat customers affected by bereavement or registering a power of attorney. Since the introduction of the Consumer Duty, some firms are making a real difference with clear policies and procedures and actively using data to better identify needs and…

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Spending Review could brighten bleak living standards outlook

After a tough Budget and Spring Statement for low-to-middle income households, the Government’s Spending Review could brighten a bleak living standards outlook by prioritising spending on services they use the most, according to new research by the Resolution Foundation. The research notes that public services are crucial for quality of life, providing ‘in-kind’ benefits worth…

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Average household spends £216 on monthly debt repayments

8th April 2025 Arrears and Recoveries | #debts

The average household spends £216 on monthly debt repayments, excluding the mortgage, according to research by Hargreaves Lansdown. Among the top 5% of earners, this rises to £384 and £1,065. The data also showed that those with mortgages spend an average of £748 on top of this. Almost one in ten households (8%) are in…

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