DEMSAPlus

KEY THEMES+ ¦ DEMSA Summary

What you need to know this week Roma Pearson, former Director of Consumer Finance at the FCA, joined Square 4 Partners as Senior Advisory Director. Net mortgage borrowing by individuals rose sharply to £13 billion in March 2025, per Bank of England data. Net borrowing of consumer credit fell to £0.9 billion, with credit card borrowing dropping to its lowest level since April 2024. Citizens Advice published Deeper in Debt, reporting a 50% rise in household arrears since 2019 and… Read more

DEMSA Column: Debt Advice news / AI / Cyber / Collaborations / Events / Debt Adviser Apprenticeship

In today’s bulletin: General update Featured event - AI and Debt for Vulnerable Customers – 7 May 2025 Equifax Financial Health Report 2025 Collaborations Events Debt Adviser Apprenticeship Scheme General update The news is dominated by the local election results. In other news, Square 4 Partners, a consultancy and interim solutions provider specialising in governance, risk, and compliance, has announced the appointment of Roma Pearson as Senior Advisory Director within its Consultancy Division. Roma Pearson previously served as Director of… Read more

KEY THEMES+ ¦ DEMSA Summary

What you need to know this week Annual energy bills forecasted to fall by £166 in July 2025. UK GDP growth could slow to 0.8% in 2025 and 2026 if tariffs are imposed. Inflation expected to return to 2% by mid-2026 after a short-term rise. Over £1 trillion card transactions made in the UK in 2024. Financial vulnerability now increasingly affects middle-class and affluent households. 9,205 individuals entered personal insolvency in March 2025 in England & Wales. DRO volumes remain… Read more

DEMSA Column: Insolvency stats / FCA news / Collaborations / Events / Debt adviser apprenticeship

In today’s bulletin: General update Personal insolvency stats – March 2025 Scottish Statutory Debt Solutions Statistics January to March 2025 (2024-25 Quarter 4) Collaborations Events Debt Adviser Apprenticeship Scheme General update Annual energy bills are predicted to fall by £166 in July 2025. KPMG Economic Outlook An uncertain trading environment and a rising tax burden pose downside risks to UK economic growth this year. While healthy household saving buffers and strong public spending should support economic performance in 2025, the… Read more

KEY THEMES+ ¦ DEMSA Summary

What you need to know this week Inflation fell slightly to 2.6% in March 2025. Household budgets remain strained due to increased utility, council tax, and other bills. Consumer confidence remained flat in Q1 2025. Consumer finance new business increased by 3% in February 2025. Credit cards and personal loans new business rose by 2% in February 2025. Retail and online credit new business fell by 2%. Employment market weakened with fewer job vacancies and payroll declines. FCA paused changes… Read more

DEMSA Column: Inflation / Ofgem vulnerability strategy / FCA updates / Collaborations / Events

In today’s bulletin: General update FCA publish regulatory initiatives grid Ofgem vulnerability strategy Treatment of customers in vulnerable circumstances that involve bereavement Collaborations Training Events General update The ONS has published its latest Consumer Prices Index, which shows the rate of inflation fell slightly to 2.6% in the 12 months to March, down from 2.8% in February 2025. Falling petrol prices have helped. National Debtline responded to these figures. Matt Hartley, Director of Engagement at the Money Advice Trust, the… Read more