Read our press release here.
Christians Against Poverty’s (CAP) new report, as part of its 30th anniversary, shows it is becoming much more difficult for people to repay unmanageable debt.
24%
of clients the charity helps have the resources to repay their way out of debt in a suitable timeframe, compared to 40% back in 2014*
88%
increase in average priority debt levels (rent, council tax, energy) for clients, rising from £2,300 to £4,300 since 2014
46%
of clients have told us they considered ending their own life because of their debts, showing how dangerous unmanageable debt can be**
I was hiding in the bedroom, curled up in a corner on the floor. I felt there was no hope. I didn’t want to live any more.
She sought the help of Christians Against Poverty and her local church and is now debt free.
CAP doesn’t just change your debts, it changes you as a person,” says Sharon. “When I was all on my own, I thought there was never any hope. Now I’m living a brighter, bigger, more colourful life.
30 years of impact
Working in partnership with local community-based churches, CAP has seen:
Over £500m
debt repaid or written off
Over 80,000
people receive free debt advice
Over 100,000
people provided with face-to-face money or job coaching***
CAP Chief Executive, Stewart McCulloch, says: “Debt is now far more challenging to repay.
“Living in spiralling debt is dangerous. It often results in families unable to afford healthy food, living in cold, damp unsafe properties and facing isolation, anxiety and depression.
For 30 years churches have partnered with CAP to provide face-to-face support that restores joy, hope and resilience. But ending poverty requires a compassionate, collective movement that empowers our neighbours through their toughest storms.
Stewart McCulloch, CAP Chief Executive
“Around 30,000 people have joined CAP as supporters, campaigners and volunteers, determined to help the charity stop poverty and see lives transformed.
Want to help us stop poverty? Find out more at: capuk.org/get-involved.
If you’re struggling with your finances, you can find out more about the services CAP offers in your area by visiting capuk.org/help.
For more information on a wider range of free help available, visit moneyhelper.org.uk.
Contact
Please direct further media enquiries, including requests for case studies, to CAP’s PR team on 01274 760801, [email protected].
Methodology
*We analysed data on CAP’s debt help case management system from 2,218 UK-wide client households that had a Financial Statement activated for the first time in 2025.
**CAP analysed 511 responses to our 2025 client survey, a voluntary response survey sent to all active CAP clients (3,207 households) in November 2025.
***Stats based on estimates looking back at data since the charity launched in 1996.
Christians Against Poverty
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a UK charity working with over 1000 affiliated churches to deliver free debt help, budgeting guidance, support to find work, life skills groups and more. Visit capuk.org to find out more.
CAP is committed to its services being accessible and inclusive. We support people from all faiths. We do not discriminate by age, gender reassignment, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave, disability, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
