“Buy Now, Pay Later has crept into the mainstream – and for many, it’s become a default way to shop. But while it’s pitched as flexible and interest-free, the reality for too many people is missed payments, mounting fees, and unaffordable debt.” The numbers speak for themselves: usage has tripled in just three years, with…
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At Toynbee Hall, we believe every child deserves a chance to play, explore, and grow but in Tower Hamlets, nearly half (48%) of children are growing up in poverty. For many families, both time and money are in short supply. That means fewer opportunities for extra-curricular activities, and limited access to safe, outdoor spaces for…
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A proud moment for Toynbee Hall as we welcomed Sarah Sackman KC MP, Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services, back to where her legal journey began, our Free Legal Advice Centre. This wasn’t a formal visit with handshakes and speeches. Sarah spent time with the people who make Toynbee Hall what it is:…
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Last night was a truly special moment for Toynbee Hall’s Debt Free Advice team. We were proud to be shortlisted for not one, but two prestigious national awards at the Credit Strategy Credit Awards 2025: Although we didn’t bring home a trophy this time, being recognised alongside leading organisations such as StepChange Debt Charity, IE…
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By Kwang Lin Wong On June 2nd, I had the privilege of attending the Workshop on Financial Support Relationships hosted by the Centre for Personal Financial Wellbeing (CPFW) at Aston University. The event brought together academics, advice and financial organisations to explore the dynamics of informal financial support relationships, with a focus on low- and…
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Photo by Norbert Levajsics on Unsplash The UK government’s 2025 Spending Review outlines significant investments aimed at addressing pressing societal issues. There are many welcomed steps being put forward in this review but while initiatives like expanding free school meals, increasing social housing, and enhancing winter fuel payments are commendable, critical gaps persist, particularly in support for low-income…
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Debt Free Advice welcomed a senior official from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to its flagship advice centre at Toynbee Hall this week, as new national data confirmed the growing scale of financial vulnerability across the UK. Sarah Pritchard, Executive Director for Supervision, Policy and Competition at the FCA, joined Debt Free Advice Managing Director…
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New figures from Chase, the consumer banking arm of JPMorgan Chase, show that 69% of adults in the UK have changed their spending habits to try and save more money. Almost half of those surveyed said they’re doing so to build an emergency fund, with others saving for holidays, retirement, or simply to prepare for…
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Earlier this month, Toynbee Hall was proud to host members of the Global Credit Counselling Alliance (GCCA) for a three-day study visit in London. The event led by our director of advice services Matt Dronfield brought together representatives from credit counselling organisations in South Korea and the United States to exchange ideas, explore innovative practices,…
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What is LinkAge Plus? Emily, our Community Partnerships Manager, explains more.
