The Rest Is Money 275. The Debt Paradox: Britain’s Hidden Credit Crisis
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May 3, 2026 
Vikki Brownridge, CEO of StepChange with 20+ years in debt advice, explains Britain’s hidden credit crisis. She discusses rising priority arrears, more working families seeking help, coerced debt and the strain on advice services. The conversation covers policy fixes, energy and council tax arrears, and how tech and early support could help people get back on track.
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Reaching Out Won't Hit Your Credit File
- Reaching out for help does not itself damage your credit score.
- Brownridge warns that defaults or formal debt solutions will affect credit, but initial contact with organisations or advisers won't.
Build Financial Resilience With Education And Tools
- Improve financial resilience with education and repeatable tools.
- Brownridge supports financial education in schools and ongoing money management tools so people can save, insure and avoid repeat problem debt.
Combine Arrears Relief With Social Tariffs
- Pair arrears relief with long-term affordable tariffs to stop re-accumulation.
- Brownridge asks for fast roll-out of Ofgem debt relief plus tiered social tariffs across energy and water for ongoing affordability.