New research has revealed that 88% of the UK is struggling to cope with high living costs, equal to an estimated 48 million people nationwide. The survey found that over two in five (45%) indicated that the country’s high living costs are impacting them even more than last year, showing that things have been getting…
Read moreLantern Group has announced the opening of its new flagship head office at Apsley House on Wellington Street in Leeds city centre, which the company says represents a major milestone in the company’s continued growth and strong performance. The office will serve as the company’s headquarters and central hub for its expanding team, reinforcing Lantern’s…
Read moreHoist Finance has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire UK debt purchaser Azzurro Associates, a specialist in SME Non-Performing Loans (NPLs), with a portfolio book value of £200 million. Under the agreement, Hoist Finance is to acquire the UK operations and assets of Azzurro, including its FCA-regulated entity, from the current…
Read moreNew research by Pepper Advantage has found that mortgage arrears fell 1.1% in Quarter 4 (Q4) 2025 , marking the third consecutive quarterly decline and the lowest arrears rate since Q4 2023. Residential and Buy-to-Let Performance: The residential arrears rate declined by 0.9% in Q4, continuing a gradual improvement. Buy-to-let arrears fell by 10.4%, reflecting…
Read moreConsumer confidence fell by 1.1 percentage points during the final quarter of 2025, from -10% in Q3 2025 to -11.1%, according to the latest Deloitte Consumer Tracker. The fall in confidence, based on responses from 3,200 UK consumers aged 18+, was driven by declines in five of the six measures included in the index. The…
Read moreThe Money Advice Liaison Group (MALG) has announced that it has appointed Peg Alexander as its next CEO. She will take up the position in March 2026, succeeding long‑standing CEO Bob Winnington, who retires at the end of that month after a decade leading the organisation. Alexander brings more than 30 years’ experience across broadcasting,…
Read moreThe Credit Services Association (CSA), the UK trade body for the debt collection and purchase industry, has published a new report highlighting the rising scale, complexity and cost of cyber security risks facing its members, urging them to prioritise resilience as a core operational and governance responsibility. The report, titled ‘Cyber Security: The Billion Pound…
Read moreDesperate families are finding themselves forced to borrow from illegal loan sharks as a consequence of getting into severe debt due to the high costs of paying for the funerals of loved ones, according to research by Funeralexperts.com. The data revealed that around 32,400 people (3%) of the 1.08 million people who were forced to…
Read moreThe Government has announced that around six million low-income households will continue to receive £150 off their winter energy bills with the Warm Home Discount scheme extended by five more years. The Government’s expansion of the Warm Home Discount last year added 2.7 million families to the scheme, bringing the total number of eligible households…
Read moreNew data from Water UK has indicated that water bills in household water bills in England and Wales will rise by an average of 5.4% – around £33 a year, or approximately £2.70 per month – from April, reflecting significant investment in upgrading water infrastructure. The rise is two percentage points above December’s official inflation…
Read morePayPlan has announced that it has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of a new Chairman and three senior industry executives, signalling bold growth ambitions to transform the way customers and partners experience debt advice. The company has received strategic investment from Palladian Investment Partners, which will be used to accelerate the rollout of enhanced digital debt advice services, delivering faster,…
Read moreDebt management and financial services company, Lantern Group has announced it has made three strategic senior appointments. The company has announced Charlotte Symonds as Chief Operating Officer, Charmaine Bonnaire as Director of Partnerships, and Scott Forster as Head of Brand and Communications. Joining Lantern’s C-suite as Chief Operating Officer, Symonds brings two decades of experience…
Read moreNew research by Moneybox has found that half (50%) of respondents said rising costs of everyday expenses (e.g. bills, food, transport) were triggering feelings of anxiety or stress when it comes to their money. A further third (34%) said unexpected expenses or emergencies (e.g. car/home repairs, family emergencies) and a fifth (22%) mentioned a general…
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