The financial pressure of household bills doesn’t just show up in bank balances; it affects mental health, emotional wellbeing, and even daily decision-making. According to Ofwat’s December 2024 report, it shines a light on the human side of financial stress, particularly how struggling to pay water bills contributes to anxiety and depression. The emotional toll… Continue reading Debt, stress, and water bills: Understanding the emotional cost of falling behind

Collaboration is no longer optional Ofgem’s recent Consumer Vulnerability Strategy discusses how vulnerability cannot be achieved in isolation. True progress requires a cross-sector, collaborative approach—spanning energy, water, telecoms, financial services, banking and beyond. The energy market needs change when it comes to vulnerable customers and to provide tailored support, unique to each individual that needs… Continue reading Building Bridges: How Income & Expenditure Tools Promote Cross-Sector Collaboration and Raise Service Standards

One of the strongest themes running through Ofgem’s 2025 Consumer Vulnerability Strategy (CVS) is the demand for more affordable, tailored support for consumers struggling to pay their bills. Affordability is no longer a simple matter of setting blanket repayment options – it’s about ensuring each individual receives help that matches their unique financial situation. This… Continue reading Affordable Support Tailored to Real Needs: Why Income & Expenditure Tools Are Essential

In April 2025, Ofgem unveiled its refreshed Consumer Vulnerability Strategy (CVS), a  framework placing the needs of vulnerable consumers at the heart of the UK’s evolving energy market. Among its key ambitions, improving the identification of vulnerability stood out as a crucial priority. Identifying vulnerability faster means protecting consumers earlier, offering them tailored support before… Continue reading Identifying Vulnerability Faster: How Income & Expenditure Tools Empower Proactive Support