Help with debt

Breathing Space –The Debt Respite Scheme

If you’re struggling with debts, you might be able to get support through the debt respite scheme, also known as Breathing Space. It's a free scheme, launched by the Government on 4 May 2021.

This could give you valuable time to find an effective and long-term solution for dealing with your debts and help you move forward, such as:

  • freezing most interest, fees and charges on debts; and
  • pausing most enforcement action and contact from creditors.

It’s a short-term option, to give you time and space to engage with debt advice and find a longer-term solution. You'll still need to keep making your regular payments if you can afford to.

You can only apply for Breathing Space through a debt adviser via organisations like Stepchange, Payplan, including through some parts of the council.

If someone approaches you directly about Breathing Space or offers to arrange it for you for a fee, it is likely to be a scam.