Mayor of London funds debt helpline as cost of living worsens

A debt helpline to support Londoners struggling with the worsening cost of living has been extended to a 24-hour service thanks to funding from the Mayor of London.

Debt Free London’s helpline has been extended with more than £200,000 funding from the Mayor.

The number of Londoners contacting the service has increased 250% in the last 12 months.

Rising food and energy prices and lower wages have had a big impact on Londoners, with nearly 80% reporting an increase in their cost-of-living over the last six months.

Recent polling showed that 34% of Londoners have struggled to pay their household bills in the last six months, with 13% struggling to make ends meet, going without essentials or relying on credit.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: ‘The spiralling cost of living is having a huge impact on Londoners, and with bills set to rise further in the coming weeks, this burden is going to become even greater for some of the most vulnerable people in our city.

‘That’s why I’m funding Debt Free London to ensure that anyone struggling can get free advice at any time. This service has already helped tens of thousands of Londoners to better manage their debt and will be invaluable as living costs continue to rise.

‘But sadly, the growing need for this service highlights the significant size of the national problem that we are facing. I will continue to do all I can to support Londoners, but we need the Government to step forward with urgent measures to help people through this crisis.’

Debt Free London, which is a partnership of 19 charities led by Toynbee Hall and funded by the Money and Pensions Service, provides support to Londoners in person or on the phone, via video call, WhatsApp message and live web chat.

The free confidential and impartial advice deals with a range of problem debts, including rent arrears, council tax arrears, utility bills, credit card debt, and loan repayments.

The service has already helped more than 250,000 Londoners with free advice since 2006, and in the last year has helped 44,000 Londoners.

Head of Debt Free London, Matt Dronfield, commented: ‘We want to help as many people as we can who need our support. By extending our hours we are more accessible to people who might otherwise struggle to contact us, especially those who work multiple jobs, shift work or have childcare responsibilities. Confidential advice will be available to anyone who reaches out.’

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya