Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
New research by the Personal Finance Research Centre at the University of Bristol, in partnership with Ofgem and StepChange Debt Charity has highlighted the critical role that effective referrals from energy suppliers to free debt advice can play in supporting households with energy debt, and where the energy sector can do more to protect vulnerable…
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Millions of households will have to pay higher water bills than previously announced, after five water companies appealed to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regarding Ofwat’s price determinations. Five companies – Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, South East Water, Southern Water, and Wessex Water – argued that Ofwat’s decision left them unable to meet the…
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Latest data from Ofgem shows that energy suppliers are owed at least £4.43bn in energy debt. It is believed that this figure is likely to be significantly higher, as it only accounts for debt that has been outstanding for more than 91 days. The data from April to June (Quarter 2, 2025) shows that household…
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New analysis from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) shows that the UK is on track for a decade of decline in families’ disposable incomes by the end of the parliament (September 2029). This comes after a decade of stagnant earnings growth following the financial crisis. By updating the March 2025 Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR)…
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Risks to financial resilience are among the pressing issues facing the charity sector in 2025, according to new analysis from the Charity Commission. The regulator has drawn on a range of data and intelligence available to it, including information from annual returns, serious incident reports and casework, in publishing its first ever annual Charity Sector Risk…
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New research by Citizens Advice has found that millions of loyal mobile and broadband customers are being forced to jump through hoops to avoid being ripped off on their bills – simply because mobile phone and broadband providers aren’t being upfront with better renewal deals. The research showed that instead of automatically offering existing customers their…
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Energy regulator, Ofgem has announced a new requirement for suppliers to offer at least one lower standing charge tariff to their customers. The regulator has published a consultation on requirements for suppliers to offer a lower standing charge tariffs.. Under the plans, these tariffs would be available to customers in every region of Great Britain…
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More than seven million households need to read their meter by the end of the month to make sure they avoid higher energy rates from 1st October, according to research by Uswitch. Homes on a standard tariff with average usage are expected to spend £140 on energy in October, compared with £63 in September. The…
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The 2026 Credit & Collections Industry Awards have opened for entries into next year’s awards. The awards programme was launched in 2024, recognising excellence within credit and collections by highlighting achievements through its tangible and transparent awards judging scheme. The awards also acknowledge key industry innovations and initiatives in credit, lending and collections. The Credit…
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More than two million households say they won’t turn on their heating this winter, an increase of a fifth (22%) compared with last year, according to new research from Uswitch. People who live alone are most likely to take drastic action, with one in ten solitary dwellers (10%) avoiding using the heating altogether. While households…
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New figures released by the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) reveal that complaints escalated to the watchdog by household customers in England and Wales rose for the third year running, up 3% to 8,235 in 2024-25 from 7,977 in 2023-24 – the highest level in nine years. This was despite a more encouraging 8% fall in…
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Gas and electricity prices will rise by 2% for millions of households under the latest cap announced by energy regulator Ofgem. The energy price cap will rise by £35 per year for a typical household from October. While the rise is small, it underscores the fact that energy costs remain stubbornly high. With energy debt…
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Cornwall Insight has published its final October price cap forecast, predicting a 1% increase in energy costs. The forecast for the October–December 2025 predicts the cap will rise to £1,737 a year for a typical dual fuel household2 this winter. This would represent an increase of £17 and 1% from the current price cap which…
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