One in six people find credit card repayments a large burden, as StepChange calls for stronger consumer protections

^{29 July 2026}

New polling from StepChange Debt Charity reveals that almost one in six (15%) UK adults, equivalent to more than 8 million people, find keeping up with their credit card repayments a very or fairly large burden each month, highlighting the growing challenge of credit card debt across the UK.

The research, conducted by YouGov on behalf of StepChange, also found that one in ten (9%) UK adults have used a credit card to pay for essential household bills in the past three months, equivalent to around 5 million people. Credit cards were the most commonly used form of credit for covering these costs.

The findings come as StepChange publishes a new report examining the regulatory framework for credit cards in the UK, and calls for fresh reforms to protect people struggling with living costs from becoming trapped in expensive credit card debt.

Previous StepChange research (see note 3 to eds) found that around 2.5 million people – 5% of all UK adults – are trapped in persistent credit card debt, meaning they have paid more in interest, fees and charges over the past 18 months than they have repaid towards the balance itself. The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) own data also shows that persistent debt has increased since 2022.

Credit card debt is also a growing issue among people seeking debt advice. More than seven in ten (73%) StepChange clients currently have credit card debt, a proportion that has increased this year. Meanwhile, Bank of England data shows credit card defaults reached their highest level since 2009 in the three months to June.

Although the Financial Conduct Authority introduced rules on persistent debt in 2018, StepChange believes further action is needed to protect consumers, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances.

The charity says there is a need to shift the focus from dealing with persistent credit card debt to prevent it happening in the first place. Measures should focus on:

• Strengthening affordability checks: The FCA should clarify its rules and take supervisory action where needed so lenders ensure customers, especially those who are financially vulnerable, can afford to repay credit card balances before they borrow.
• Fixing minimum repayments to reduce long-term debt: The FCA should increase minimum repayments to at least the level needed to prevent persistent debt and ensure borrowing is affordable. While it may seem counter-intuitive, increasing minimum repayments ultimately leaves customers with more of their money needed to meet living costs—and those who cannot meet this minimum should be provided help and forbearance not left stuck in expensive long-term debt.
• Improving support for people in persistent debt: The FCA should update its rules so lenders step in sooner than 36 months to help customers stuck in long-term debt, especially those with high-interest cards and provide an early and safe way out. The aim should be to prevent people from becoming trapped in harmfully expensive debt, not deal with the problem after it has emerged.

Peter Tutton, Director of Policy, Research and Public Affairs at StepChange Debt Charity, said:

"Millions of people are finding it difficult to keep up with their credit card repayments, while many are increasingly relying on credit to cover essential household costs. This creates a real risk that more people will become trapped in long-term debt."

"People experiencing financial hardship are particularly vulnerable to becoming drawn into harmful long-term credit card debt that reduces their disposable income and compounds cost of living pressures, yet the current rules are not doing enough to protect them."

"Credit cards are often held for many years and people's financial circumstances can change significantly over that time. Someone who could comfortably afford a credit card when they first took it out may later face financial pressures that make repayments much harder to manage."

"Cost of living pressures have intensified since the FCA last reviewed its persistent debt rules, making it more important than ever that the regulatory framework keeps pace with consumers' experiences."

"It’s important that the FCA’s rules not only mitigate the consequences of harmful lending, but prevent it in the first place, placing clearer expectations on firms to reduce the number of people becoming trapped in persistent credit card debt."

Notes to editors

1. StepChange’s new briefing on persistent credit card debt can be found here.
2. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,142 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th - 10th July 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
3. Persistent credit card debt figures are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 6,402 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th - 12th December 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). All percentages are rounded to the nearest 1%.
4. The FCA defines a customer as being in persistent credit card debt if they have repaid more in interest, fees and charges than they have repaid of the balance in the last 18 months. Respondents were asked: ‘Thinking about your credit card repayments over the past 18 months, do you think the amount you’ve paid in interest, fees, and charges is more or less than the amount you’ve paid off your card balance? If you have more than one credit card with an outstanding balance, please think about the one you use the most.’
5. By “essential household bills”, we mean items needed to make ends meet such as housing, other household bills (like utilities, council tax and credit repayments), groceries and transport.
6. The FCA’s Financial Lives survey finds that in 2024, 5% of adults (2.8 million) were in persistent credit card debt – up one percentage point since 2022. Lone parents and adults with low financial resilience were the most likely to be in persistent credit card debt.
7. The latest StepChange client data for May 2026, can be found here.