The UK debt market continues to expand, with unsecured lending reaching record levels. Over two-thirds of UK adults now carry personal debt, with credit cards remaining the most widely used…
UK
Financial Services
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UK Attitudes towards Debt and Credit Consumer Report 2025
The UK debt market continues to expand, with unsecured lending reaching record levels. Over two-thirds of UK adults now carry personal debt, with credit cards remaining the most widely used product.
"Credit use continues to rise amid cost of living concerns, but lenders must uphold responsible lending practices to both support and protect the most vulnerable customers."
Katie Owens-Davies, Financial Services Analyst
Debt and Credit – UK Consumer Attitudes
The UK debt market continues to expand, with unsecured lending reaching record levels. Over two-thirds of UK adults now carry personal debt, with credit cards remaining the most widely used product.
Buy Now, Pay Later services have surged in popularity, becoming the second most common unsecured credit product, utilised by a third of consumers.
Economic recovery remains uneven, and persistent inflation has led to differing credit needs among demographics. More affluent households are leveraging credit to fund lifestyle aspirations, while lower-income households take on debt to cover essential expenses. This growing dependence on credit, often without sufficient financial education, has fuelled a rise in financial anxiety, with most consumers linking debt to poor mental wellbeing.
For lenders, this evolving landscape presents challenges and opportunities. While there is significant potential to innovate and meet the demand for flexible credit solutions, there is also a need to address the rising financial vulnerability of many consumers.
This Report Looks at the Following Areas:
The impact of rising inflation and falling interest rates on consumer borrowing patterns
Current consumer credit use and preferences, including the growing popularity of buy now, pay later
Motivations behind consumer borrowing and the diverging realities this reveals
Future credit needs and the increased trust in lenders among new borrowers
Barriers to consumer credit use, including the power of financial understanding and education
How borrowers perceive debt and credit, and the relationship between debt and mental wellbeing.
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