Seven in ten women worry about everyday outgoings as financial pressure threatens resilience

New research from Scottish Friendly has found that women are more likely to be worried about affording everyday outgoings over the next 12 months as day-to-day financial pressures threaten long-term savings and investments. The mutual’s latest Family Finance Tracker research shows that 71% of women are concerned about being able to afford all their regular…

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Almost 14 million are years away from recovery from the cost of living crisis

Millions of people across the UK are still years away from recovering financially from the cost-of-living crisis, and the nation’s overall financial resilience level shows many households are still very exposed if prices rise for basics such as food, fuel and energy, according to new research from Royal London. The report highlights that one in…

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Council tax arrears hits record high

Council tax arrears in the UK have reached £9.3 billion after rising by £1 billion over the past year, a 12% increase. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reported that England accounts for £7.4 billion of the total, with Scotland at £1.6 billion and Wales at £320 million. In the past five years,…

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One in four graduates can expect to be financially worse off after University

A quarter of graduates can expect to be financially worse off after going to university, especially those who take creative or performing arts degrees, according to new research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). People who took their GCSEs in 2002 and went to university will earn around 40% more over their lifetimes (£320,000…

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Unpaid benefit debts could lead to driving licence bans under new crackdown

Fraudsters and debtors who refuse to pay face tough new consequences, including direct deductions from bank accounts, as new laws come into force. People who have stopped receiving benefits but still refuse to repay money owed to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could also be banned from driving under the new rules. The…

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Two-thirds say cost-of-living has increased credit in everyday spending

Two-thirds (67%) of credit users agree that cost-of-living pressures have increased the use of credit in everyday spending, with nearly six million customers revealing they are doing so with greater intentionality than ever before, according to research by Zilch. The finding comes from the Credit Confidence Study, Zilch’s new study of over 10,000 UK adults and over 6,600 users…

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Personal insolvencies increase by 2%

Latest monthly figures from the Insolvency Service for England & Wales for May 2026 indicate that there were 11,223 personal insolvencies, 2% higher than April 2026 but 10% higher than in May 2025. Personal insolvencies  in May were 10,955. Personal insolvencies were 10% higher in May 2026 compared to the same month in 2025 when…

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Enforcement sector criticises TV programme for fuelling hostility towards frontline staff

Enforcement agents have criticised a recent segment on Good Morning Britain (GMB), warning that the inflammatory language used risks escalating violence towards workers on the ground. Amy Collins, the new President of the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA), the principal trade body representing the sector, published a response to the programme (which aired on 17 June)…

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New report highlights impact of language barriers on customer engagement

The Credit Services Association (CSA) has published a new report examining how language barriers can affect customer engagement across the sector. In particular, the research highlights that language barriers are a recurring operational issue across debt advice organisations, and support capabilities can vary. The paper titled ‘Signposting for customers who have language barriers,’explores the practical…

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Record numbers turning to loan sharks

Over two million Britons are reportedly in debt to illegal lenders, a rise of 500,000 since 2022, according to the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ). Britain is facing a growing illegal lending crisis as record numbers of cash-strapped households turn to loan sharks to cover everyday living costs. The number of people borrowing from unscrupulous…

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World Cup triggers gambling spike

With the 2026 World Cup kicking off, new research from Lowell shows that 43% of all gamblers increase their betting activity during major sporting events or tournaments. This rises to 50.6% among sports bettors specifically, with levels climbing to as high as two-thirds in certain cities. Gambling can significantly impact personal finances, with many bettors dipping…

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One in four rely on credit cards to fund World Cup-related spending

With the football World Cup just around the corner, new research from MoneySuperMarket has revealed that almost a quarter (23%) of Brits expect to rely on credit cards or borrowing to fund World Cup-related spending. The survey of UK adults revealed it won’t just be the beer leaving Brits with a hangover this summer, with…

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Millions unaware of available support with household bills as debt soars

10th June 2026 Banking and Loans | #energy debt

New research from the National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed that millions are missing out on vital support with energy and water bills. This comes as over £7 billion worth of debt is owed to energy and water companies. The report examined how Ofcom, Ofwat and Ofgem support consumers in vulnerable circumstances and whether people…

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