Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
Financial services firms need to enhance the accessibility and supportiveness of their online content for individuals with financial and mental health concerns, according to a new report from the LSB (Lending Standards Board). The report, based on research commissioned by the LSB from the Money & Mental Health Policy Institute, assesses financial services firms’ websites…
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Ofgem has announced a new plan to tackle the growing crisis of energy debt through a new Debt Relief Scheme (DRS). The regulator has confirmed the first phase of the scheme will write off up to £500 million of historic debt built up during the energy crisis, with total energy debt across the UK now…
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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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Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) – the UK charity dedicated to tackling economic abuse, has launched an industry-leading, practical guide to support financial services firms to identify, prevent, and respond to economic abuse – a dangerous form of domestic abuse. The Government has committed to halving violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade. A mission…
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Four million people in England and Wales are trapped in a negative budget, meaning they simply don’t have enough money coming in to pay for essentials like food, energy or housing, Citizens Advice is warning. The charity’s latest research shows on top of those in the red, hundreds of thousands more have cut their spending…
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A quarter (25%) of households will pay as much as four times more for the heat they use between now and 1st January 1st, by opting for a plug-in electric heater over gas central heating, according to new research by Utilita. The data reveals households still opt for an electric heater, despite the running costs…
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Renters are left with just an average of £440 of disposable income each month after paying for bills and essentials—almost half the £872 reported by homeowners. Yet despite tighter budgets, renters are more proactive in managing their money, with 27% checking their credit score monthly compared to just 20% of homeowners, according to new research…
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New research from Aviva has revealed that adults are increasingly motivated by personal values when it comes to their financial planning, with providing for their family (44%), financial independence (43%), and security (31%) emerging as the top drivers. Among 25–34-year-olds, these motivators are even more apparent, with more than half (58%) citing family security and…
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Digital tools are transforming customer service across every sector, but don’t replace the value of human empathy when people face financial difficulties, according to new research from Lowell. Conducted to mark National Customer Service Week, the research found that 81% of respondents believe it is important to speak to a human when they have a…
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A joint study from credit management company Lowell and free debt advice provider Money Wellness has found that almost two-thirds (64.22%) of debt advice circulating on TikTok, Facebook, and Reddit is misleading, while an overwhelming 98.27% is unreliable. With over 10.1 million people in the UK currently over-indebted (FCA Credit & Loans survey), many turn…
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New research from Compare the Market has revealed that almost three-quarters of people with multiple forms of debt (72%) say they find it difficult to stay on top of their repayments. On average, people in the UK with multiple debts owe £7,296 in total and have been paying them off simultaneously for nearly three and…
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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 Shawbrook has found that people are £224 worse off each month compared to last year, as they continue to suffer the consequences of the cost of living crisis. Nearly 40 per cent of people confirmed they were worse off compared to last year, with women being affected in particular, with 43 per…
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