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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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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Ovo Energy to pay out £10m over prepayment meter breaches

5th June 2026 Consumer Collections | #energy

Ovo Energy has agreed to pay more than £10 million to customers after energy regulator Ofgem found a lack of monitoring of vulnerable customers with prepayment meters (PPMs). ​​The regulator’s investigation concluded that OVO’s inadequate monitoring of PPM customers, including those on the Priority Services Register (PSR), led to breaches of Ofgem’s rules designed to…

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One in four say they have borrowed money from their parents for bills

One in four (25%) adults borrowing money from their parents for bills such as rent or insurance admit they don’t always tell their partner about the extra help, even though they share the bill, according to new polling data conducted by Compare the Market. This proportion rises to a third (33%) among Gen Z and…

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Credit & Collections Spring Series 2026 review

Credit Connect hosted its second annual Spring Series of events at the end of May at Eastwood Hall Hotel in Nottingham. The event opened with the first-ever Industry Leaders networking dinner, which hosted 60 attendees who have been nominated and ratified by Credit Connect’s Industry Leaders partner associations: CIVEA, CICM, CCUA, CCTA, Cifas and Registry…

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One in five regret their spending beyond their means

A fifth of adults in the UK are feeling constant ‘financial regret’ over their spending habits, with pressures felt particularly strongly by younger generations, according to research from Hymans Robertson Personal Wealth. The poll found that more than a fifth (21%) of people said they regret overspending on “consumables” such as clothes and meals out,…

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One in four young people gamble to pay bills

Eight in ten gamblers aged 18-24 (83%) will bet more frequently in 2026 due to major sporting events like the World Cup, with a quarter (25%) doing so to help cover essential bills, according to new research from Nationwide. By comparison, less than half (37 per cent) of those over 55 expect to gamble more.…

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One in three workers have had to create extra income to make ends meet

New consumer survey and spending data from the Vanquis Financial Wellbeing Index has revealed that one in three workers earning under £40,000 are creating additional income streams to make ends meet. At the same time, households continue saving less than £3 in every £100 earned. Despite widespread efforts to manage money carefully, many households simply…

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Energy price cap will rise by 13% from July

Energy regulator Ofgem has announced a 13% increase in the energy price cap for the period covering 1st July to 30th September 2026. The price cap refers to the default tariff applied when a customer has not signed for a fixed-rate tariff. It sets a maximum rate per unit and a standing charge that can…

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Brits expected to rack up £1.6k in debt this summer

Research conducted by Updraft has revealed that Brits are expected to accumulate an average of £1,641 in credit card debt over the summer months, with many falling into the trap of overspending, missing grace periods and accruing interest. In fact, for some, summer 2025 spending may not even be paid off yet. Updraft surveyed 2,002…

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Over half of Scots hit by problem debt

Over half (57%) of Scots have experienced problem debt, new research suggests, underlining the scale of financial pressure facing households as a new Scottish Parliament gets underway. New Censuswide polling commissioned by StepChange Scotland reveals 57% of adults in Scotland have a lived experience of problem debt, with almost two in five (38%) saying they…

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Households feel poorer as financial pressures mount

Research from St James’s Place has shown that average household wealth has fallen 17.5% over the last year, dropping from £126,482 to £104,329. More than a third of people said their financial position has worsened over the last twelve months, while one in five households now say they are struggling financially. The data finds that…

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