The Treasury has unveiled its Financial Inclusion strategy which will aim to bring a focus on building financial resilience for households most at risk of problem debt. The Financial Inclusion Committee’s mission is to tackle barriers to individuals and households’ ability to access affordable and appropriate financial products and services. The Treasury said its new…
Read moreNew data from the Vanquis Financial Wellbeing Index has shown that these people lack the confidence to have children or grow their families, with many taking on second jobs and cutting back on non-essentials to cope financially. The report shows that only 14% of householders earning under £40,000 feel confident in their ability to afford…
Read moreNearly half of the public (48%) say they would react aggressively or with verbal or physical abuse towards an Enforcement Agent(commonly known as a bailiff), visiting their property despite public sympathy for their role, according to research by the Civil Enforcement Associations (CIVEA). Contrary to this, the findings also show strong public support for the…
Read moreMost people wait until their money worries reach tipping point before asking for help, according to new research by Lowell, finding that nine in ten people delay seeking help until their financial situation becomes critical. The study, conducted by Lowell to mark Talk Money Week, found that only one in ten people seek help at…
Read moreNew research commissioned by debt charity StepChange and Equifax has uncovered the profound and often hidden financial challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. The research, which combined an online survey with in-depth interviews of neurodivergent individuals experiencing debt, found that almost all survey respondents (97%) felt that being neurodivergent presented challenges when it came to managing…
Read moreFinancial 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…
Read moreOfgem 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…
Read moreMore 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…
Read moreSurviving 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…
Read moreFour 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…
Read moreA 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…
Read moreRenters 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…
Read moreNew 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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