Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of debt collection practices on the (a) mental and (b) physical health of individuals in financial difficulty.

No specific assessment has been made, but we work with HM Treasury to support people with mental ill health facing debt collection. We have been working with HM Treasury and the Money and Pensions Service to promote the mental health Breathing Space scheme, which gives those with mental ill health who are facing financial difficulties, the space to receive debt advice without pressure from creditors or mounting debts. The scheme has protected over 100,000 people who are unable to afford their debt repayments by pausing enforcement action, creditor contact and most interest, fees, and charges for a 60-day period, giving them time to find a debt solution that works for them.

Those receiving mental health crisis treatment can also access a Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space, where the protections last as long as their mental health crisis treatment lasts, plus a further 30 days.

The Government is also delivering a package of cost-of-living support totalling over £104 billion, or £3,700 per household on average, between 2022 to 2025. The Government is continuing to support millions of households most in need, with up to £900 in further cost of living payments in the past year.

Over six million people across the United Kingdom on eligible extra-costs disability benefits have received a £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment, to help with the additional costs they face. More than eight million pensioner households across the UK have received an additional £300 Cost of Living Payment during the winter of 2023/24, paid as a top-up to the winter fuel payment.