The number of UK adults struggling to repay their debts has nearly doubled in two years, as churches across the country step in to provide vital support for families facing hunger, cold and anxiety this winter. 

The findings came from Christians Against Poverty’s (CAP) Picture of Poverty report, released today during Challenge Poverty Week in England and Wales.

CAP’s chief executive, Stewart McCulloch, told Premier Christian News: “Seventeen per cent is about one in five adults struggling with debt. Only two years ago, it was one in ten. That’s an incredible rise, and for families with children under eighteen, it’s one in four.” 

He explained that the impact of inflation had been severe, with food and energy prices rising far faster than average incomes. “What we’re seeing,” he said, “is people borrowing to eat and to pay household bills, just to survive.” 

McCulloch said families were “skipping meals or sitting in cold homes,” adding that “churches have really stepped up to meet need.” 

He pointed to research from the Evangelical Alliance, which shows that 95 per cent of churches now have social action programmes and around one third offer some form of debt counselling. 

“To those who are struggling, there is help out there,” he added. He highlighted that financial trouble can bring anxiety, loneliness and shame, but said: “Don’t struggle away on your own.” 

He urged the government to “consider policies that give people the dignity of a normal life,” as the charity has called for wages and benefits to be set at a liveable income level.

McCulloch also encouraged Christians to “pray, give and act,” saying that helping others “is the adventure of my life.”