StepChange Debt Charity

Our latest insight: Consumers paying thousands in unnecessary fees ⚠️ ❌ This autumn we're raising awareness of a worrying rise in consumers paying for debt solutions that they could get for free. Our analysis shows that consumers taking a DMP with a fee-charging provider will pay between £5,000 - £6,000 in unnecessary fees and take between 2-3 years longer to become debt free*. In his new blog our Chief Client Officer, Richard Lane explores some of the data behind this and what this means for organisations supporting consumers in financial difficulty. https://lnkd.in/e5ZqHaih Support the campaign!  Find out more and download our supporter toolkit to help us raise awareness of free debt advice and solutions. https://lnkd.in/eBAXpFwp #ChooseFreeDebtAdvice *Analysis based on average total debt balance and average monthly repayment of StepChange DMP clients. 

7 November 📆 Come say hello to us at the Money Advice Liaison Group Ltd 2024 annual conference.   We're looking forward to exhibiting at #malgconf2024 next week in our home city of Leeds. The theme of the conference is 'the future of financial resilience' and our very own James Barkworth and Samuel Oliver-Jones will be in attendance to discuss important topics including support for homeowners in financial difficulty, and the role of voluntary arrangements.    If you're attending then please drop by our stand. We look forward to seeing you there. #financialresilience

With over a quarter of adults in the UK struggling financially, Wednesday’s #Budget is a crucial opportunity for the Government. Watch below to hear from Richard Lane about some of our key asks which would help to reduce hardship and problem debt for households 👇

Financial security and tackling the drivers of debt must be at the top of the Government's agenda. Our Public Affairs Advisor, Sophie M., has written a blog breaking down the first three of our priorities for the new Parliament, including council tax debt collection, bailiff regulation and the need for a tenancy support duty. https://lnkd.in/eirVh6T9

Mark your calendars! 📆 Debt Awareness Week 2025! We're delighted to share that our annual campaign, Debt Awareness Week, will return on Monday 24 March 2025. With the support of our partners, Debt Awareness Week reaches millions of people every year, raising awareness of the causes of problem debt and shining a light on the long-lasting impact it has on people. We'll be sharing more details about next year's campaign very soon, but for now mark Monday 24 March - Sunday 30 March 2025 in your diary, and keep your eyes peeled for more news! #DebtAwarenessWeek #Debt #WorkingTogether

True or false: Do some companies giving debt advice make a profit from you? 🤔 We’ve been in partnership with Asda Money for two years, working together to support people affected by debt. Our colleague Tom Williams recently visited an Asda store to ask their customers about transparency about debt solution fees. We’re always open about fees, and we’d always recommend getting free, expert debt advice first, so your customers can understand their options from the start https://lnkd.in/eJxyZ6rJ. #AsdaMoney #StepChange #DebtAdvice

📰 Our October Newsletter In this edition of StepChange News and Views we share our latest insight which shows that consumers taking a fee-charging Debt Management Plan may pay over £5,000 in unnecessary fees. We also reflect on StepChange Connected 2024, where we welcomed over 175 guests to our annual partner event. Attendees were able to hear from leading voices across a range of sectors, including the Chief Executives of both the Financial Conduct Authority and the Financial Ombudsman Service. There's also new support tools for Scottish consumers and an update from party conference season. Check it out and hit subscribe below ⬇️

Want to provide your customers in Scotland with all the information they need about managing debt and seeking support? We can help. From how to spot the warning signs of debt and getting emergency help, to learning about longer term solutions and how to budget, we’ve produced new print and video guides to support your customers. To order the guide visit our partner hub 👇 https://lnkd.in/eueTSigy.

It’s time for change 📢 Hear from our Senior Public Policy Advocate, Emily Whitford, on the 3 steps we want the Government to take to make council tax debt collection better and fairer. Read our full report: https://lnkd.in/eceMT9pF #counciltax #bailiffs #debt

🚨🙌 After several years of raising concerns around Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) as an unregulated form of credit, we’re pleased to see the Government following through on its commitment to regulate BNPL and prioritise consumer protection from problem debt. https://lnkd.in/exmyy_qy #BuyNowPayLater #bnpl