Over half of Scots hit by problem debt as cost pressures mount
19 May 2026
Over half (57%) of Scots have experienced problem debt, new research suggests, underlining the scale of financial pressure facing households as a new Scottish Parliament gets underway.
New Censuswide polling commissioned by StepChange Scotland reveals 57% of adults in Scotland have lived experience of problem debt, with almost two in five (38%) saying they did not share their struggles with anyone.
Nearly nine in ten (88%) of those affected said problem debt caused them significant stress. More than half (56%) said their debt problems were caused by circumstances outside their control.
These experiences are increasingly reflected in the demand for debt advice services across Scotland. StepChange Scotland has seen its client volumes increase by 32% in the first quarter of 2026, compared with the same time period in 2025.
The charity has also seen a rise in people needing debt advice who are in full time employment – indicating that work is increasingly not protecting people against financial difficulties. Just over two in five (43%) StepChange Scotland clients were in full time work in the first quarter of 2026, up five percentage points year on year.
StepChange is urging the new Scottish Parliament to seize this moment to take decisive action to support people facing financial hardship. The charity is calling for measures to tackle the rising cost of essential bills and utilities, alongside steps to help households build financial resilience so they are better equipped to cope with financial shocks.
Sharon Bell, Head of StepChange Scotland, said:
"With a new Parliament in Scotland, and concerns around the cost of living intensifying, now is a vital time for Government to take action on financial pressures facing households. We’ve long called for reform of the outdated council tax collection system, which lacks the empathy needed for residents facing difficult circumstances, causing undue hardship.
"We’d also like to see action from policymakers on unaffordable energy debt and ongoing bills, which looks to become even more unsustainable as the price cap is expected to increase this summer. Building financial resilience to protect households from debt must be at the heart of Holyrood’s ambitions."
Free, confidential debt advice is available 24/7 using StepChange’s online debt advice service at www.stepchange.org
Notes to Editors
- The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1000 Scottish Consumers (Nat Rep 18+). The data was collected between 25.03.2026 - 02.04.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.
- StepChange Scotland Q1 2026 client data is available on request.
About StepChange Debt Charity Scotland
StepChange Debt Charity is the UK’s largest debt advice charity, helping hundreds of thousands of people a year.
StepChange Scotland supports clients right across Scotland. Our Glasgow based team of over 60 FTE provides support with a range of advice and solutions, including the Scottish Statutory solutions; the Debt Arrangement Scheme, Minimal Asset Process and Sequestration.
Founded in 1993, StepChange supports people experiencing debt problems through telephone and online services, and campaigns for change to reduce the harm and stigma associated with debt.