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Scotland in the Red 2025

A look at who owed what in Scotland in 2025.

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The latest in our annual Scotland in the Red series details how the personal debt landscape in Scotland changed across 2025.

This report analyses data from the 8,778 new first-time clients who completed a full debt advice session between January and December 2025. Our client data enables us to compare trends from previous years and across different demographic groups to provide invaluable insight into the changing causes and impacts of problem debt in Scotland.

Some of the key findings from Scotland in the Red 2025 include:

Our clients’ unsecured debts and arrears exceeded £20,000 in 2025 – the highest we’ve seen since the global financial crash

Average combined debts and arrears reached £20,116 per client - an increase of 10%, or £1,800, in just 12 months.

Unsecured debts have risen in each of the last five years and are now on average 44% higher than they were in 2021 – that’s an extra £5,596 per client.

Average unsecured debts and arrears grew by 10% to £20,116

Gas arrears have more than trebled, and electricity and dual fuel arrears have doubled in just five years

Two in every five clients (38%) were behind on their energy bills owing an average of £2,583 each – well above a year’s usage for a typical household.

Average gas arrears rose by 61% in 2025 – an increase of £1,007 in just twelve months – and are more than three times higher than they were in 2025. Our clients have also seen arrears on their electricity and dual-fuel bills double over this same period – adding an extra £1,332 and £1,283 respectively.

Average gas arrears increased 61% to £2,649 - more than triple 2021 levels

Our clients have fallen further behind on their essential household bills, with average arrears rising to £5,470 per client – this is an 85% increase since 2021

Two-thirds of clients (65%) had arrears on their household bills – owing an average of £5,470 each. This was 5% higher than the previous year, and a massive 85% increase on 2021 levels. In the last five years our clients have added an average of £2,509 extra in arrears.

Average arrears balances rose across almost all bill types – including a 17% increase in overdue mortgage payments to £7,772.

Two-thirds of clients were in arrears on their bills, owing £5,470 each

Our report captures a critical time for personal finances in Scotland as higher living costs become more embedded and more people in full-time work find themselves reaching out for help with problem debt.

The report calls for meaningful action to rebuild household finances in Scotland including by reforming council tax debt collection, addressing the energy debt and tackling economic abuse. Read more about our Scottish policy priorities.

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Want more information?

Email us to discuss our 'Scotland in the Red 2025' report at scotland@stepchange.org