Media Centre

Recent blogs

A positive step towards a fairer, better-regulated enforcement sector

Peter Tutton, Director of Policy, Research and Public Affairs: The enforcement industry handles close to 8 million cases a year. In total, it recovers around £1 billion of debt, largely owed to public bodies. One in ten StepChange clients report facing enforcement action by bailiffs, which rises to three in ten for those in council tax arrears. These interactions touch on the lives of many financially vulnerable people every single day. As such, we have long made the case for the enforcement sector to be placed under a statutory regulator, to ensure this form of debt recovery is approached fairly and does not push people into deeper hardship.

Go to the Medium blog

Recent media coverage

Our Young people policy report gained extensive coverage:

• Featured in print in the Daily Mirror, Scottish Daily Mirror, Daily Record, Daily Express, and online in Independent and LBC, quoting Vikki Brownridge. Also featured print and online in the Sun's consumer section, in a wider piece around generational shift and financial pressures.
• Vikki Brownridge’s Big Issue copy focused on our research.
• We gained hundreds of mentions on bulletin across BBC national and regional outlets across both television and radio.
• Richard Lane spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live's breakfast show on Saturday morning, speaking to the findings and the pressures on the generation. Listen here from 1:20:00.
• Richard also appeared live on BBC Radio 4's Money Box, about use of credit amongst Gen Z. As part of the feature, Money Box also spoke to StepChange client, Chloe, about her use of credit in her younger years and the ease with which she could access it. Listen here from 18:00.

Other media coverage

• Vikki spoke to BBC Online regarding free and impartial debt advice.
• Simon Trevethick, Head of Media and Social Change, spoke to the Independent regarding managing debt, 0% credit cards, and hidden costs.
• In a Mirror article on credit and store cards, our polling stats showing 18 million people in the UK have credit card debt featured.
• Vikki featured on Legal and General's consumer money podcast 'A Little Bit Richer', hosted by freelance journalist Iona Bain.
• Vikki also penned a joint article with British Gas Director Gary Booker for the Yorkshire Post, on referrals and our energy summit.
• StepChange client data featured in the Guardian’s morning newsletter alongside a quote from a spokesperson talking to the changing nature of our client base.
• Richard Lane spoke to our social tariff ask and gave our take on the energy bill support in the Budget, featuring across BBC Radio stations. Listen here after 4 minutes.
• Euan Saunders, Press Officer, gave an interview to BBC Radio York ahead of the Budget and spoke to our key campaign asks. Listen here from just after 15 minutes.