Citizens Advice has warned it is providing 'crisis support' every 30 seconds ahead of household bill increases in April, including council tax and water charges. The charity reported helping over 51,000 people with crisis support so far this year, with renters, disabled individuals, and single parents most likely to seek assistance.
When broader cost-of-living issues such as energy bills and council tax arrears are included, the number of people seeking help reached 175,000. The charity warned that these figures indicate many household budgets have 'gone beyond breaking point'.
Among those helped, average debt reached a record £9,500, up 12% on last year. Over a third of this debt (42%) was arrears on essential bills like energy and council tax. Citizens Advice anticipates further increases in debt due to global instability and rising essential bills in April.
The charity called for better-targeted support for those struggling with energy bills, help with rent costs, and faster action to reduce debt. Chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty stated: 'Our data reveals the scale of the problem facing people – households are buckling under cost-of-living pressures, and too many are reaching crisis.'
