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Record Numbers Seek Debt Advice Over 2025 Christmas and New Year

lite News Desk 2 min read

At a glance

  • 6,083 people contacted Money Wellness for debt help between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day 2025
  • 5,820 people sought debt advice from Money Wellness between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2026
  • Charities described the volume of contacts as “unprecedented”

Thousands of people contacted the Money Wellness advice service for debt support during the 2025 Christmas and New Year period, with the number of requests rising compared to the previous year.

Money Wellness reported a 29% increase in contacts for debt advice between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day 2025, and a 14% rise between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2026, compared to the same periods a year earlier.

During the Christmas period, 6,083 individuals reached out to the service for help managing debt. Over the New Year, 5,820 people contacted Money Wellness for similar support.

A notable portion of these contacts occurred during late-night and early-morning hours. Between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, 1,334 people, or about 21% of total contacts, sought assistance between 10 pm and 3 am. Between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, 1,149 people, or 20% of contacts, reached out during those same hours, with 243 seeking help specifically between midnight and 1 am.

What the numbers show

  • 6,083 people contacted Money Wellness for debt advice between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day 2025
  • 5,820 people reached out for help between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2026
  • 29% increase in contacts over Christmas compared to the previous year
  • 14% increase in contacts over New Year compared to the previous year
  • Over 1,300 people sought help late at night during Christmas period

Money Wellness documented that a substantial share of people seeking debt advice did so outside regular business hours, indicating a pattern of late-night engagement with support services during the holiday season.

Charities described the number of people seeking debt help over Christmas and New Year as “unprecedented,” according to statements reported at the time.

The data provided by Money Wellness highlights a marked rise in demand for debt advice services during the 2025–2026 holiday period, with both Christmas and New Year’s intervals showing double-digit percentage increases in contacts compared to the previous year.

These figures underscore the volume and timing of requests for financial guidance during a time of year when many households may experience increased financial pressure.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.

Sources and further reading

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