⚡ Quick Answer
If you're struggling with debt, free help is available from Citizens Advice, National Debt Line, StepChange and MoneyHelper. Never pay for debt advice — it's always free.
Free Debt Help Organisations
UK's largest debt charity. Free IVA, DMP and bankruptcy advice.
stepchange.org ↗ 🟢 National Debt LineFree advice by phone and online. Helps with all types of debt.
nationaldebtline.org ↗ 🟠 Citizens AdviceFree face-to-face and online debt advice across the UK.
citizensadvice.org.uk ↗Debt Solutions Compared
| Solution | Best For | Credit Impact | Duration | Who Sets It Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt Consolidation | Multiple debts, good credit | Temporary dip | 1–10 years | Bank or broker |
| IVA | £10k+ debt, can't afford full repayment | Severe — 6 years | 5–6 years | Insolvency practitioner |
| DMP (Debt Management Plan) | Repay in full, need breathing space | Moderate | Variable | Debt charity (free) |
| Bankruptcy | No realistic way to repay | Severe — 6 years | Typically 1 year | Court (£680 fee) |
| Debt Relief Order (DRO) | Under £30k debt, low income/assets | Severe — 6 years | 12 months | Approved intermediary |
Expert Tip — Prioritise Your Debts
Priority debts (mortgage, rent, council tax, utility bills, court fines) must be paid first — missing these can result in losing your home or going to prison. Non-priority debts (credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts) can be negotiated. Citizens Advice guide to debt priority ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
- Every formal solution marks your file ~6 years — but so do the missed payments you already have
- Pay priority debts (rent, council tax, energy) first — consequences, not letter volume, set the order
- Free debt charities (StepChange, National Debtline) do everything paid firms do — never pay for debt help
- Breathing Space gives a legal 60-day freeze on enforcement and most interest
What Actually Moves the Needle
Statute-barred rules surprise almost everyone: most unsecured debts become unenforceable after six years without payment or written acknowledgement. One payment or a signed letter restarts the clock — which is why you should never confirm old debts casually.
Every formal solution has a shape: DROs suit minimal-asset situations; IVAs suit homeowners protecting property; bankruptcy suits cases where the six-year IVA grind isn't justified. The right answer falls out of your numbers, not your feelings.
Priority ordering beats proportional payment. £80 to rent or council tax prevents eviction and bailiffs; the same £100 to a credit card prevents only another letter. Credit-card collectors shout loudest precisely because they have the least leverage.
Compare & Save Today
We compare the UK's leading providers — free, with no credit impact
StepChange
Free expert debt advice — charity
National Debtline
Free debt advice by phone or online
Debt Consolidation Loan
One lower monthly payment
Citizens Advice
Free local face-to-face debt help
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