Written by Lizzie Marlow
Earlier this month, Refuge announced that its helpline has received more than 40,000 calls and contacts since the start of lockdown. June saw a 77% increase in contacts to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline and an 800% increase in website visits.In response to COVID, Refuge launched a new ‘live chat’…
Written by Tom James
Nearly half of people in problem debt have a mental health problem. Yet, symptoms of many mental health problems like difficulty communicating, impaired clarify of thought and reduced concentration, can make it difficult for people to engage with debt advice.Every year 100,000 people in England attempt suicide because of debt.…
Written by Lizzie Marlow
PayPlan and leading housing provider, Longhurst Group, have partnered to support customers in financial difficulty to improve their economic resilience. PayPlan’s specialist advisers help over 100,000 people every year with confidential advice and personalised debt solutions. As part of its commissioned Housing Association debt advice service, PayPlan supports customers to become…
Written by Lizzie Marlow
Throughout June, PayPlan upskilled a group of individuals at Santander on domestic abuse awareness in a financial service setting. The National Domestic Abuse helpline, which is run by Refuge, reported a 25% increase in calls and online requests for help since the lockdown. With this added pressure, there has arguably…
Written by Tom James
Leading free debt advice company, PayPlan, conducted a survey to find out how people in debt have been affected during the Coronavirus outbreak. The FCA have extended payment holidays for mortgages and other debts, and although the majority of those surveyed by PayPlan feel paying back their debts now is…
Written by Lizzie Marlow
Free debt advice provider, PayPlan, has launched a new enhanced Business and Self-Employed Debt Advice Team for people who are self-employed, or run their own business, and need help with debt. With the current economic climate impacting almost five million self-employed people and six million small businesses across the UK,…
Written by Tom James
Refuge, the UK’s largest national domestic abuse charity, and free debt advice provider, PayPlan, are working together to support survivors of domestic abuse to become debt free.One in five adults in the UK (the majority of whom are women) experience economic abuse[1]The collaboration will help survivors of domestic abuse access…
Written by Tom James
In response to the FCA’s announced proposals to extend the scope of mortgage payment holidays, Rachel Duffey, CEO of PayPlan, commented:“The additional support being proposed for customers struggling with their mortgage payments is very welcome. We echo the FCA’s view that where consumers can afford to re-start mortgage payments, it is in…
Written by Tom James
The team at PayPlan are delighted to share their nomination for Best Financial Support Provider at the 2020 Consumer Credit Awards.This award highlights all the hard work that goes in behind the scenes in helping people towards a debt free future, supporting individuals with free financial information or a managed…
Written by England Illegal Money Lending Team
People suffering financially due to the Covid-19 pandemic are being urged to avoid loan sharks who cause profound misery and stress to their victims. Loan sharks are unregulated, often give cash loans without any paperwork and charge extortionate interest rates.
Written by PayPlan
The Prime Minister recently announced a UK lockdown, which means people are being told to stay home and certain businesses have had to close as a result. This has affected millions of people in varying degrees of employment. The Chancellor announced plans to help support the many facing an income…
Written by Emma Gibbons
There’s been a lot of talk about ‘breathing space’ recently. Simply put, it’s a period of time for you to get some advice and work out the best way to deal with your debt, without worrying about a knock at the door or your phone ringing. It helps you focus…
Written by PayPlan
In one of our earlier blog posts this month, we talked about how thousands of people across the UK are dealing with the post-Christmas financial hangover that comes with overspending on presents, food and festivities. Research company Censuswide recently surveyed 2000 people asking them questions about their finances and, unsurprisingly, found…
Written by Will Lyon
We’re stepping up to warn of the threat that Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) schemes pose to consumers. Companies such as Klarna, Laybuy and Clearpay allow consumers to make online purchases and spread the cost through instalments over an agreed period of time. Retailers partner with Buy Now, Pay Later…
Written by Will Lyon
Universal Credit (UC) was first introduced in 2013 to simplify the benefits system. To say it’s proved problematic is an understatement, with increased waiting times and the exclusion of rent and Council Tax considerations. In last month’s general election, Labour promised to scrap the system altogether, whilst the Conservative campaign…
Written by PayPlan
Britain’s departure from the EU is causing no end of uncertainty. We’ve taken to answer some FAQs to help you understand what’s going on in the world of Brexit, and how it will affect your personal finances in three key areas: food, energy and travel. “How will Brexit affect me?”…
Written by Tom James
The PayPlan team recently celebrated after being named the 2019 Debt Advice Provider of the Year at Credit Strategy’s industry leading Collections & Customer Service (CCS) Awards.Now in its thirteenth year, the CCS Awards champions outstanding achievements of organisations, teams and individuals working for financial services providers, or central or…
Written by PayPlan
Challenger banks are typically small banks aiming to challenge the longer-established bigger banks, such as the ‘big four’ (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, and The Royal Bank of Scotland Group). Examples of challenger banks include Monzo, Starling and Tandem, but the list is rapidly growing. How do challenger banks work?…
Written by Emmanuelle Kopliku
Pension credit is changing as of May 15th 2019 Are you living with a partner? Is one of you aged over 65 and the other under 65? If so, then there could be some big changes happening with any new pension credit claims you make. Currently you can make a…
Written by PayPlan
Due to the recent collapse of Wonga, payday loans have been all over the news lately. With such bad press, people are beginning to search for other means of quick and easy credit, one of which is the guarantor loan.* A guarantor loan is a form of loan which is secured…
