Can’t pay all your debts? Which to pay first in England — and how Breathing Space freezes interest for 60 days
Rent, council tax, energy, credit cards, buy now pay later: when money runs short, the order you pay in decides whether you keep your home and avoid bailiffs. Which debts are priority in England, what happens if you don’t pay council tax, how to deal with energy suppliers and HMRC, and how to get 60 days of Breathing Space for free.
'Apply to study and the government sends you £25,000 — no need to attend': how Student Finance really works
A 'scheme' is doing the rounds in chats and social media: apply for a course in England, get around £25,000 from the government into your account — and never study. Using the official GOV.UK rules, we unpack where the number comes from, what students actually get paid, why 'take the money and don't study' is criminal fraud, and how the Student Loans Company catches such applicants.
Paid £90 for a Debt Relief Order? The government is refunding it — claim before the end of the year
The Insolvency Service issued a reminder on 28 September: thousands of people who paid the £90 Debt Relief Order fee between 2016 and 2024 but never submitted an application can get their money back. Around £450,000 remains unclaimed. Letters have been sent several times, but many contact details have changed over a decade — you can claim yourself, by email or post.