Festive debt pressures persist

Late-Night Calls Signal Ongoing Strain

A free UK debt and money advice service has reported a sharp rise in demand over the festive period, with many people seeking help late at night. The pattern points to the persistence of cost-of-living pressures as households head into 2026, despite the traditional lull associated with the holidays.

Between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, more than 6,000 people contacted Money Wellness for help managing debt, a steep increase on the previous year. Demand remained elevated over New Year, underlining that financial stress did not ease as celebrations came to an end

Financial Anxiety Doesn’t Pause for Christmas

The timing of the contacts paints a stark picture of how anxiety plays out. Around one in five festive callers reached out between 10pm and 3am, periods that are usually quiet for advice services. Hundreds sought help in the early hours of the morning, including just after midnight, suggesting distress that peaks when worries are hardest to ignore.

Money Wellness said the trend shows that money worries do not switch off for holidays, and that people often feel compelled to spend on celebrations even when finances are already stretched.

Pressure to Spend, Fear to Sleep

Commenting on the figures, the charity’s head of advice described the scale of demand as unprecedented. She noted that many people contact the service late at night, when anxiety is at its worst, and stressed the importance of free, accessible support for those struggling with debt. The organisation continues to urge people to seek impartial advice early and to engage with creditors to explore manageable options.

Regional Picture of a National Problem

Website data reinforces the sense of widespread pressure. Thousands of people accessed online guidance over the Christmas period to read about coping with unmanageable debt. London accounted for the largest share of searches, followed by the Midlands and the North West, suggesting that financial strain cuts across regions and communities.

Advisers have warned that further rises in essential bills, including energy costs, could make the start of the year especially difficult for many households.

Echoes Across Public Services

The surge in demand mirrors trends seen elsewhere. Government-backed money guidance services have previously reported sharp increases in traffic to debt and emergency support pages in early January, with interest focused on tools for dealing with arrears and finding help with food and bills. Taken together, the data point to sustained pressure on household finances beyond short-term seasonal spikes.

Practical Steps for 2026

In response, Money Wellness has set out practical advice for those worried about their finances this year. The guidance focuses on drawing up strict budgets, prioritising essential bills such as rent and council tax, seeking free debt advice, communicating with creditors, and checking eligibility for benefits, grants or other support. Advisers also emphasise protecting mental health, warning that rising living costs continue to place many UK households under prolonged strain.

Sourced by Noah Wire

Read more in our Knowledge Hub.