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...

In this month's Debt Talk podcast with Ripon Ray, the subject is: 'Gambling and debt'. To navigate such a sensitive topic, he has experts from academia and gambling therapy. Prof John McAlaney from Bournemouth University speaks about the meaning of gambling, the different types of gambling activities in the UK and how the behaviour of gambling differs based on age and sex. He also explores the role of the Gambling Commission and how the Commission and the British government could be influenced to drive change for the benefit of vulnerable communities who face problem gambling. Kathy Wade from GamCare highlights the types of gamblers they support as part of their broad strategy whilst working with other sectors connected with gambling and debt. She explores the chemicals in the brains of many gamblers, which may cause them to gamble. Many gamblers face unsustainable loss of income as a result of gambling and homelessness. The impact of gambling is not simply on the person ...

Monthly Debt News looks at debts and the causes of debts in Britain from various sources selected for professionals to make the debt sector simple. This month’s Debt News in the new year includes the UK’s child poverty highest among the wealthiest nations, rent arrears high in many northern council tenancies, 28% of southern water companies going to service their debts,   Dutch firm challenge ULEZ fine in High Court, Labour considers student loan right off for NHS workers and bitesize stats to get an overview of the causes of debts in Britain. You can also catch up with previous Debt Talk podcasts if you have missed them.  ——————— Debt News ——————— Child poverty levels in the UK worst among world’s richest nations, UNICEF report finds Child income poverty rates in the United Kingdom were the highest among the world's richest countries, a report by U.N. children's agency UNICEF said, ranking bottom of the table for changes in those rates in the past decade. More here: Link ...

Monthly Debt News looks at debts and the causes of debts in Britain from diverse sources to simplify the debt sector for a broad audience.    ——————— This month’s Debt News includes a  5 % energy price cap increase, Ofgem reviews energy standing charge, EDF issues debt warning, billions of welfare cuts planned and charities condemn the cuts, a rise in council tax in struggling boroughs, a pensioner had sleepless nights for recieving demands to pay £12,  gender gap and debt crisis.  And finally, bitesize stats to get an overview of the causes of debts in Britain.    ——————— Debt News  ——————— Ofgem announces 5% energy price cap increase Energy regulator Ofgem has announced that the energy price cap will increase by 5% on the previous quarter from 1st January to 31st March 2024. The cost for an average household paying by direct debit for dual fuel equates to £1,928, a rise of £94 for a year – around £7.83 a month. The price cap, updated every ...

Mainstream lenders are here to stay. It does not mean we are not seeing a variety of lenders in the financial market. In this month's podcast on Debt Talk, Ripon Ray spoke about: 'Alternative lending & debt'. To navigate the subject, there were experts from financial inclusion and debt. Gareth Evans  - Co-founder and director of THE FINANCIAL INCLUSION CENTRE - spoke about the variety of lenders and the make-up of lenders in the United Kingdom. He explored the relevance of alternative lenders, such as the role of local credit unions within the consumer credit market, the benefit of such lenders compared to mainstream lenders and the obligation of any lenders when dealing with vulnerable consumers in financial difficulties whilst considering affordability to borrow. Sam Nurse - CEO of Money Advice Hub  & Zeus Design Hub - spoke about the importance of living within your means and that lenders should carry out affordability assessments and treat consumers fairly at ev...

    Monthly Debt News looks at debts and the causes of debts in Britain from various sources selected for professionals to make the debt sector simple. This month’s Debt News includes high rents pushing renters out of cities, one million universal credit claimants, a couple charged £18K without a gas bill,   an angler refusing to pay a water bill due to sewage pollution, drivers successfully appealing all penalty charges in London, Santander warns borrowers over high-interest rates and defaults. And finally, bitesize stats to get an overview of the causes of debts in Britain.  ——————— High rents and benefit cuts push poorer renters out of UK’s cities, report finds. The social fabric of the UK’s biggest cities is being transformed by  sky-high rents  and cuts to housing benefits as thousands of low-income private renters are pushed out of central areas, accelerating the “suburbanisation” of poverty, according to a study. More here: Link    ———...