Breathing Space –the debt respite scheme
If you’re struggling with debts, you might be able to get support through the debt respite scheme, also known as Breathing Space. It's a free scheme, launched by the Government on 4 May 2021.
This could give you valuable time to find an effective and long-term solution for dealing with your debts and help you move forward, such as:
- freezing most interest, fees and charges on debts; and
- pausing most enforcement action and contact from creditors.
It’s a short-term option, to give you time and space to engage with debt advice and find a longer-term solution. You'll still need to keep making your regular payments if you can afford to.
You can only apply for Breathing Space through a debt adviser via organisations like Stepchange, Payplan, including through some parts of the council.
If someone approaches you directly about Breathing Space or offers to arrange it for you for a fee, it is likely to be a scam.