Statement from Ripon Ray, Founder of Debt Talk CIC I am delighted to announce that Debt Talk CIC has been granted FCA authorisation with limited permission as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company to provide specialist debt advice and information on credit-related services. After months of rigorous assessment and review by the Financial Conduct Authority of our governance, policies, procedures, and operational practices, we are proud to have achieved this important milestone. Debt Talk CIC was founded to tackle the impact of debt, poverty, and financial exclusion on individuals, families, and communities. While statistics relating to poverty and financial hardship within British Bangladeshi communities are often referenced in research and policy, there has been a lack of an independent national voice ensuring those communities are directly heard. Debt Talk CIC was established to help fill that gap. Alongside providing high-quality debt advice and financial education, we are commi...

  Thank you to Movimento Consumatori and Titiano for inviting Ripon Ray of Debt Talk CIC to speak at the recent round table discussion on debt advice and consumer protection across Europe. The discussion focused on Ripon’s experience of the UK debt advice sector, including how debt advice services operate in practice, the characteristics of the UK model, how services are funded, and the role of charities, regulators, and community organisations in supporting people facing financial hardship. It was also a valuable opportunity to listen to organisations from France and Austria and learn more about different approaches and best practices in supporting indebted communities across Europe. Thank you again to Movimento Consumatori for creating such an important space for international dialogue, learning, and collaboration.

Ripon Ray, representing Debt Talk CIC, was invited to a conference at  the European Parliament in Strasbourg: “Gambling as a Social Problem – The Impact of Gambling on the Risk of Over-Indebtedness.” Credit to the ECDN European Consumer Debt Network for bringing together practitioners, researchers and policymakers from across Europe to focus on this issue. It was a real learning experience — hearing how different organisations across Europe are approaching such a major challenge in different ways. From prevention to recovery, there was a lot to take away in terms of practical approaches and lessons. A key takeaway for Ripon Rat was how closely gambling and debt are linked — and how often this is still overlooked. This isn’t just about individual behaviour, but about wider systems, access to support, and the environments people are navigating. Much of what was discussed reflected what we see in communities in the UK. There is real potential in working together across countries. ...

With major wars unfolding globally, including the most recent tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the USA, the impact is being felt far beyond the countries directly involved. Even here in the UK, people are starting to see the effects in everyday life. Disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have highlighted just how vulnerable we are. Rising fuel costs are already hitting households, and this is beginning to push up the price of essentials like food. In this month’s Debt Talk podcast, Ripon Ray explores how global conflict connects to our personal finances and why it matters for all of us. Rachel Ledwith, speaking from her work with food redistribution charities, shared how rising fuel costs are making it harder to deliver food to communities in need. With the UK heavily reliant on imported food, there are growing concerns about long-term supply chains. At the same time, charities are facing declining and increasingly stretched funding, as attention shifts toward supporting those d...

  Ripon Ray phoned in on LBC on Shelagh Fogarty’s show this afternoon to explain how he campaigned against the introduction of student loans during the initial period when the Labour government introduced tuition fees and removed student grants in the 1990s. His partner received full student grants, but by the time he started studying he had to take out loans to cover tuition fees and living costs. It took him over 20 years to pay off his debts. These included not only student loans, but also money owed to credit card companies and friends. This is his story!

  January is hard. The celebrations are over, the bills have arrived, and for many of us, savings have quietly disappeared. As we wait, often painfully, for the next pay cheque, January becomes the month of fresh starts, New Year’s resolutions, and, if we’re honest, a few broken promises. I’m Ripon Ray, your host, and in this episode of the Debt Talk Podcast, we focus on January Financial Planning and how money is closely linked to the promises we make to ourselves at the start of the year. To help us navigate the challenges of January 2026, I’m joined by three expert guests: Shakira Taylor, a fitness instructor working on the frontline, shares insights on staying active and motivated beyond January. She reminds us that fitness isn’t just about quick wins; sustainable, gradual progress is what leads to lasting health and real rewards. Joe Marley from Alcohol Change talks about Dry January, alcohol habits, and wellbeing. He shares practical tools, including the Alcohol Change app, a...