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Houses of Parliament

Our work in parliaments

Working with parliamentarians on policy briefings, events and constituency debt trends.

We have helped over

7.5 million

people since 1993

 

As the UK’s largest specialist provider of free and independent debt advice we speak up for all who are affected by problem debt, right across society.

We provide briefings for MPs, peers and MSPs, work with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Debt and Financial Inclusion, and lobby government on our evidence-led campaigns. We also provide practical resources so MPs can work with us to make a real difference to constituents’ lives.

Supporting people in problem debt: Priorities for the Government

It’s been a difficult few years for household finances. Rising living costs, the pandemic and a housing emergency have resulted in over a quarter of UK adults struggling to cope financially. We’re calling for the Government to place financial security at the heart of its legislative agenda over the next parliamentary session.

Read more about our key policy asks

Problem debt in Scotland: A manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood elections

The years since the start of the pandemic have seen pressure on household compounded through an enduring cost of living crisis, high interest rates and record energy prices. As attention turns once again to the Scottish elections in May, we’re calling on all political parties to put financial security at the heart of the next Scottish Parliament.

Read our manifesto asks

What we do in Parliaments

Making the case for council tax reform

Calling for a statutory regulator for the bailiff industry

Our CEO Vikki Brownridge has joined fellow members of the Taking Control coalition in calling on the Prime Minister to take urgent action to protect people in financial difficulty from harmful bailiff practices.

Together, we’re urging the government to introduce a statutory regulator for the bailiff sector - a vital step to drive up standards, ensure accountability, and root out unacceptable practices.

This is about creating a fairer system for those who need support the most – another step towards achieving meaningful change through our research and influence, which is outlined as one of our four outcomes in our 2025-30 strategy.

Read the letter to the Prime Minister

Calling for an end to imprisonment for council tax debt

A coalition of organisations including StepChange Debt Charity, Christians Against Poverty, Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, Money Advice Trust and six others has written to the Government reiterating a call to end imprisonment for non-payment of council tax. The coalition claims the rule is “outdated” and “disproportionate,” as it continues to campaign for reform of council tax regulations.

Read the letter to The Rt Hon David Gauke

Engagement with the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Alongside seven debt advice, money and research sector partners, StepChange wrote to Florence Eshalomi MP – the Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee – on 2 December 2024, to raise the urgent case for council tax reform.

This coalition of organisations are working together to campaign on this issue, to urge central government to lead the change required to bring about fairer and more supportive council tax collection practices.

You can read more about StepChange’s evidence on our clients’ experiences of the council tax debt collection journey here.

Read the letter

How we help people

We offer free and non-judgemental debt advice and support to people across the UK, for as long as they need it.

Since 1993 we have helped more than 7.5 million people take back control of their finances.

We also undertake research around debt, using our clients’ experiences to advocate for legislative and regulatory change.

We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Find out more about us and how we make a difference.

Working with MPs

We bring our evidence-based cases for changing regulation, law and practice to the forefront of MPs’ minds. We also provide practical resources to help MPs make a real difference to their constituents’ lives.

Visit the MP hub

Campaign with us

We speak up for all who are affected by problem debt, right across society through our policy recommendations and campaigns. Our reports raise key policy issues and set out practical, high impact solutions.

Our recommendations and campaigns

Thought leadership

 

Our blog highlights the trends our team sees, and uses in-depth data, research and insights to suggest ways to improve the lives of society's financially vulnerable.

Visit the Medium blog for more

Media centre

 

Our press office can comment, arrange briefings or interviews with experts, and help facilitate case study requests with clients who are willing to share their experience in the media.

Visit the Media Centre

Key policy campaigns

Find out how we're leveraging our insights to champion policies that reduce financial harm, reduce the negative impact of debt on society, and deliver free debt advice and management.

Our key campaigns

Consultation responses

We use our client experiences to regularly respond to consultations and discussion papers from the UK government, regulators and other relevant organisations.

Read our responses

Research and statistics

Our client data and research over the last decade highlights debt trends in the UK. These insights into the causes and consequences of problem debt inform our campaign and policy work.

Read our debt research

Contact our Policy Team: