There was a sharp rise in demand for debt support over the festive season, with a significant number of people seeking help during late-night hours.
Between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, 6,083 people contacted the organisation for help with their debts, according to debt advice service, Money Wellness.
This comes as around £24billion worth of financial support goes unclaimed annually in the UK, as Britons are urged to check what support they’re eligible for, including benefits, tax credits, and grants.
Over the Christmas period, 1,334 individuals contacted Money Wellness between 10pm and 3am, which accounted for 21 per cent of all contacts made during that time.
A similar pattern was recorded over between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, where 1,149 people sought advice during the same late-night window.
Among them were 243 individuals who reached out between midnight and 1am.
Sebrina McCullough, head of advice at Money Wellness, said the scale of demand was unlike anything previously seen.
Record numbers sought help late at night as financial pressures mount
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“The numbers we’re seeing over Christmas and New Year are unprecedented.”
She said the festive period often placed additional strain on households already struggling to manage their finances.
Ms McCullough added: “People often feel pressure to celebrate the holidays, even when money is tight, and our data shows many are turning to us late at night when they feel most anxious.
“It’s a clear reminder that financial stress doesn’t take a break and neither does the need for accessible, free debt advice.”
Rising living costs continued to place pressure on households across the UK, with the organisation pointing to higher energy bills, food prices and housing costs as key factors affecting household finances.
£26billion in tax raids has seen the UK’s tax burden projected to rise to a post-war record 38 per cent of GDP by 2030, according to the OBR | GB NEWS/OBR
For some families, these pressures have been building for several months.
Others reported only feeling the impact after relying on credit cards or loans to cover Christmas spending.
Money Wellness said this had left many people entering the new year concerned about managing bills and existing debts, demand for their services expected to remain high throughout January, and beyond.
Money Wellness encouraged people experiencing financial difficulty to seek support early, given that immediate intervention could prevent problems from escalating.
Money Wellness shared seven practical steps for people struggling with their finances.
1. Create a strict budget & track spending
“Creating a strict budget and really tracking your spending is the first step to taking back control of your finances.
When you list all your income and expenses, it becomes clear where your money is going and where you can make cuts.
This also helps you make consistent debt payments.
To make this easier, there’s a free budgeting tool on the Money Wellness website that guides you through mapping your finances and spotting areas to save.”
2. Prioritise debts
“It’s important to tackle debts in the right order.
Essential bills like rent or mortgage, council tax, and utilities must come first, because falling behind here can have serious consequences – you could end up in court or lose your home.
Once these are covered, focus on high-interest debts like credit cards or payday loans, as paying these off sooner saves money over time.”
3. Seek professional, free debt advice
“Speaking to a trained debt adviser can make a huge difference.
Free expert advice helps you understand your options, negotiate with creditors, and create a realistic plan to regain control.
You don’t have to face debt alone, and guidance from a professional takes the stress out of figuring out what to do next.”
4. Reduce unnecessary spending & boost income
“Small changes can free up cash quickly.
Look at subscriptions you no longer use, shop around for better deals on utilities, see if you qualify for social tariffs or consider ways to earn extra money, like side hustles or freelance work.
Even small adjustments can make a noticeable difference for debt repayment or building a small safety net.”
Debt support is available from creditors, but those in need should ask for help rather than suffer in silence
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5. Communicate with creditors
“Being open with lenders is key. Letting them know you’re struggling can unlock options like payment breaks, reduced payments, or interest freezes.
Most lenders would rather work with you than see your account go into default, but they can’t offer help if you don’t reach out.”
6. Protect your mental health
“Debt can be stressful, and feeling overwhelmed makes it harder to make good decisions.
Talk to someone you trust or a debt adviser and aim to build even a small emergency fund.
Taking care of your wellbeing while managing debt makes the whole process more manageable and gives you confidence to move forward.”
7. Check you’re getting all the support available
“Millions of people miss out on money they’re entitled to each year – in fact, around £24billion goes unclaimed annually in the UK.
Checking what support you’re eligible for, like benefits, tax credits, or grants, could free up extra cash and ease your budget.
It’s worth taking the time to make sure you’re not leaving money on the table. You can do this in about 5 minutes using the Money Wellness free online benefit checker.”