UK Household Debt

UK Household Debt

The cost-of-living crisis and the pandemic before it have been the biggest shocks of our generation. The past few years have been stressful for all of us.  

For millions, bills and other expenses have shot up and for many the pressure is now unbearable.  

We are in a personal debt crisis. Nearly ten million people are heavily in debt in the UK, rent debt, credit cards, and utility bills have all piled up 2.4 billion owed in energy debt alone.

This is a crisis created in Westminster, but it is our communities that are paying the price.

Already, the system wasn’t fair. Bad jobs, low wages, and the government’s lack of a proper safety net pushed many people in to debt, and the cost of living crisis has turbocharged it.

Millions are being forced to borrow, delay and juggle payments to make ends meet and once people are pushed into debt it can be difficult to get out.

We have the solutions to the crisis, but we will only win if we can come together to change the rigged system that benefits lenders, collectors, and bailiffs at our expense. 

Solutions:

Over the past year thousands of people, who know what it’s like to experience the stress of being in debt, have come together to build a manifesto for what they want to see changed. Our ‘Together Against Debt People’s Manifesto’ has three key demands:  

• Fair debt solutions so everyone can have a fresh start. 

• An end to people being pushed into debt just to pay for the food, energy and housing they need.  

• To be treated with dignity, and protected from exploitation and harassment by creditors, debt collectors and bailiffs.   

Together, we are speaking out and standing up for our family, friends and neighbours who have been saddled with unpayable debts, in a crisis that nobody could plan for.   

What you can do right now: 

• Take action: Add your name to our End Energy Debt petition  
• Read our People’s Manifesto on Debt
• If you want to get more involved – see if there is a Together Against debt group in your area