"The reality is that rising essential bills and with that rising arrears types across housing, energy, and consumer credit debt, have become the new normal for many households. The cost of everyday essentials remains prohibitively high for many households, and our client data has reflected this pressure for several years."
"Average rent arrears climbed by 15% to 2,372, while average mortgage arrears grew by 22%, from 10,239 in 2024 to 12,534 in 2025. StepChange's data shows there were significant numbers of households behind with energy bills, even though prices had fallen from the highs of 2022."
Low-income households are experiencing unprecedented levels of debt on essential services. StepChange reports that average rent arrears increased 15% to £2,372, while mortgage arrears grew 22% to £12,534 in 2025. Over one-third of clients carry energy debt averaging £2,560, despite falling energy prices from 2022 peaks. Two-fifths of clients receive universal credit, and three-fifths live in rented accommodation. The charity attributes this crisis to sustained high costs of everyday essentials and calls for government intervention through national social tariffs for energy and water to make utilities affordable for low-income households.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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