Free debt and money advice service, Money Wellness, has reported a significant rise in people seeking support over the festive period, highlighting growing financial pressures on households as they head into 2026.
Between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, 6,083 people contacted Money Wellness for advice on managing debt – a 29% increase on last year. Notably, 1,334 people (21%) sought support between 10pm and 3am, showing that financial stress does not respect festive hours.
The trend continued into the New Year, with 5,820 people reaching out for help between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, marking a 14% increase on 2025 figures. Among these, 1,149 people (20%) accessed advice during late-night hours (between…