UK debt guides in plain English
Clear, practical answers about debt solutions, your rights and what to pay first. Written and checked by our editorial team against official sources.
England & Wales
Debt Relief Orders (DROs): eligibility, limits and how to apply
Who qualifies, the debt and income limits, and what happens during the 12 months.
Breathing Space: 60 days' protection from your creditors
How the 60-day scheme pauses creditor action and freezes interest.
Bankruptcy in England and Wales: what happens and who it suits
How bankruptcy works, what you might lose, and the alternatives to weigh up.
England, Wales & NI
Know your rights
Bailiffs: what they can and can't do
Notice periods, visiting hours, forced entry and how to stop fees rising.
Statute barred debt: when old debts can't be enforced
When an old debt can no longer be chased through the courts.
Debt collectors: your rights and how to deal with them
What collectors can and can't do, and how to ask them to prove the debt.
Priority debts
Behind on council tax? Here's what happens and what to do
Reminders, summons and liability orders, and how to get back on track.
Priority and non-priority debts: what to pay first
Which bills to pay first and why it matters if money is tight.
Rent arrears: how to protect your home
Why rent comes first and what help is available with housing costs.
Energy bill arrears: help with gas and electricity debt
What your supplier must do and where to look for grants.
Court action
County Court Judgments (CCJs): what to do when you get court papers
How to respond to a claim, pay in instalments, and protect your credit file.
Attachment of earnings and charging orders explained
What creditors can do after a CCJ, and how to respond.
Whole UK
Scotland
Debt types
Payday loan debt: how to stop the cycle
How the price cap works and how to stop payments leaving your account.
Credit card debt: what to do when minimum payments are too much
What to do when you can only manage minimum payments, or not even those.
Buy now, pay later debt: your rights and options
The new FCA rules for buy now, pay later, and what to do if you're behind.