Christians Against Poverty Releases "No Time to Lose" Report on UK Debt Crisis

BRADFORD, UK — Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has released a stark new report titled "No Time to Lose," revealing the devastating psychological and social consequences of the UK's mounting debt crisis. The findings expose how financial distress is trapping millions in cycles of isolation, fear, and mental health deterioration.

Alarming Statistics Reveal Hidden Crisis

The comprehensive report, timed to coincide with Loneliness Awareness Week, draws on analysis of 2,225 new CAP client households in 2024 and 527 responses to the charity's annual client survey. The findings paint a troubling picture of debt's impact beyond mere financial hardship.

According to the findings, 85% of clients report feeling isolated, and more than half say they are too afraid to leave their homes. The report reveals that 58% suffer from poor mental health and many live in a constant state of anxiety.

Daily Terror of Debt

The report exposes the daily psychological torment experienced by those in severe financial difficulty. 78% are afraid of picking up the phone, 82% feel anxious about checking the mail, and 62% fear a knock at the door.

Even more concerning, nearly half (49%) had thought about or tried to take their own life before reaching out for support, highlighting how poverty threatens not just financial security but life itself.

Severe Material Deprivation

The financial impact extends to basic human needs. The report found that 59% had borrowed money to buy food, and 63% couldn't afford a basic bed or mattress due to overwhelming debt.

National Scale of the Problem

CAP-commissioned polling by Opinium of 2,000 UK adults reinforced the widespread nature of the crisis. Over 11.2 million UK adults report experiencing loneliness (21%) with 11.1 million residing by themselves (20%) and more than 4.6 million saying they have no support network at all (8%).

CAP's Response and Impact

Despite the overwhelming challenges, CAP continues to make a significant difference. In 2024, 8,716 people accessed free, face-to-face debt support through its network of 250 debt centres and 123 job clubs, all run in partnership with over 1,000 UK churches.

Last year, CAP responded to over 15,000 calls to their helpline and provided specialist debt help for over 8,000 individuals on their route out of debt. Over 2,000 people reached that incredible milestone of becoming debt free.

Leadership Perspective

Stewart McCulloch, CAP's Chief Executive Officer who joined in January 2024, emphasized the urgency of the situation. "The statistics in the 'No Time to Lose' client report paint a troubling picture," he stated. "The report reveals a crisis of isolation and fear, with a staggering 85% of the people we help feeling isolated by their debt, and more than half (52%) admitting they were afraid to even leave their homes".

Church Partnership Model

CAP's unique approach involves working through local church partnerships to provide holistic support. "Through the dedicated local church partners we work with across the UK, CAP has been given a unique opportunity to reach into local communities to offer in-depth support and holistic care to those facing times of need", McCulloch explained.

Hope Amidst Crisis

The report also highlights success stories, including that of Jolene, who faced potential homelessness with her children but found both practical debt solutions and community support through her local church and CAP partnership.

Call to Action

The "No Time to Lose" report serves as both a warning about the scale of the UK's debt crisis and a call for urgent action. With poverty affecting over one in five UK residents, CAP's work through local churches continues to provide a lifeline for those trapped in cycles of debt, isolation, and despair.

The full report is available at www.capuk.org, offering detailed insights into how debt impacts lives and communities across the UK.