Sat, 10 Jan 2026

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 'Unprecedented' numbers seeking debt help post-Christmas, say charities

Debt charities say that calls have risen compared with last year as people are urged to seek help.

* Debt charities report an influx of calls as people worry about their financial situation becoming unmanageable
* StepChange and Money Wellness saw a significant increase in calls and website visitors over Christmas and New Year, with Monday being the busiest single day for both organizations
* Thousands of people accessed debt advice services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with many seeking help late at night due to anxiety about their financial situation
* Call numbers were notably up on last year, with 1,365 calls received by National Debtline on Monday alone, the busiest single day in its history
* Charities are urging anyone struggling with debt to seek help as soon as possible rather than making matters worse by ignoring the situation
* Concerns are particularly acute for those struggling to pay priority bills such as council tax and rent, with £4.4bn already owed to energy suppliers following a period of high prices
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