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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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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Government launches child poverty strategy to support families

The Government has announced a new Child Poverty Strategy, which aims to lift 550,000 children out of poverty by 2030. The Government says that following the reversal of the two-child limit, the strategy tackles the root causes of poverty by cutting the cost of essentials, boosting family incomes, and improving local services so every child…

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Bill reform could save struggling households £950 a year

As people across the country battle an unrelenting living standards crisis, Citizens Advice has revealed reforming bill support across essential markets, including energy and water, could save eligible households a staggering £950 a year. That’s the equivalent of £79 a month, which amounts to an income boost of almost 6% for low-income households. Citizens Advice’s…

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AUTUMN BUDGET 2025 – consumer credit sector reaction

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced the autumn budget for 2025. Commenting on the Budget, Vikki Brownridge, CEO at StepChange said “Today’s announcement of the removal of the two-child limit is an immediate, cost-effective way to lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. It is a decisive move that will reduce the risk of…

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Energy price cap increases by 0.2% – industry reaction

Energy regulator Ofgem has announced a 0.2% rise of the energy price cap for the period covering January to March 2026. Thd change amounts to a small increase of around 28 pence a month for the average dual fuel household. Year on year when adjusted for inflation the new cap is 2% or £37 lower…

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CSA calls for Government to act on inaccurate online advice

21st November 2025 Arrears and Recoveries | #online advice

A new report from the Credit Services Association (CSA), the UK trade association for debt collection and purchase, is calling on the Government and Information Commissioner to turn the tables on online ‘influencers’ who give inaccurate advice to unsuspecting consumers, including those already facing significant problem debt. The new report has found that one of…

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Energy price cap in expected to fall in January

Cornwall Insight has released its final forecast for the January – March 2026 Default Tariff Cap (price cap), following the closure of the observation window on 18 November. The new forecast predicts the cap will fall to £1,733 a year for a typical dual fuel household in the new year. This would represent a decrease…

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Mortgage repossessions rise sharply as arrears fall

Latest data from UK Finance has shown that home repossessions rose sharply in Quarter 3 (Q3) 2025, but mortgage arrears fell. The analaysis showed that there were 1,390 homeowner repossessions, up 51% annually, and 900 buy-to-let repossessions, with this up 29%. Despite this, levels remain close to pre-pandemic norms and well below long-term averages, with…

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Ofgem steps in as energy supplier collapses

Energy regulator Ofgem is assigning a new supplier for 8,400 customers after energy provider Tomato Energy collapsed. Ofgem intervened to protect supply for all affected, confirming that energy provision and funds, including credit balances, are secured under its ‘supplier of last resort’ safety net. Tomato Energy was banned from taking on new customers in April…

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Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law

29th October 2025 Consumer Collections |

The Government’s landmark Renters’ Rights Bill has received Royal Assent, officially becoming law and paving the way for the most notable reform of the private rented sector in almost four decades.  The new Renters’ Rights Act introduces a far-reaching set of changes, which include the abolition of fixed-term tenancies and Section 21 notices. Commenting on…

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Government to send letters confirming energy bill discount

29th October 2025 Consumer Collections | #energy bills

More than a quarter of a million families will receive confirmation this week of their £150 discount on energy bills this winter, as part of the Government’s drive to help families tackle energy affordability. The Prime Minister took the decision last year to expand the Warm Home Discount to a further 2.7 million families, meaning six million households now receive…

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Call for shake up of energy regulation

Energy UK is calling for sector regulator Ofgem to lose some of its current responsibilities to create a streamlined and more focused organisation better equipped to carry out its main duties. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is currently carrying out a review of Ofgem’s performance and its future role, and in a paper…

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