Single parents facing record debt levels, says Citizens Advice

Single parents in the UK are increasingly struggling with debt, with many unable to cover essential costs or escape cycles of borrowing, according to new data from Citizens Advice.

The charity reported that single parents, who make up 16% of UK households, account for 25% of those seeking its debt advice.

The number of single parents turning to the organisation for support has risen by 9% since 2019, and their average debt has now reached approximately £8,290—the highest recorded level in recent years.

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) data supports these findings, showing that 55% of single adults with financially dependent children are either “not coping financially” or “finding it difficult to cope.”

This is more than double the proportion of couples without children facing similar difficulties.

Citizens Advice also found that 89% of the single parents seeking its debt advice in 2024 were women.

Household bills and short-term credit adding to strain

Rising costs for utilities and council tax have had a significant impact.

Among single parents seeking debt advice, energy debts have risen by 47% since 2022, while council tax debts have increased by 20%.

Short-term credit is also a growing issue.

Single parents make up 25% of all debt clients at Citizens Advice but account for 34% of those struggling with short-term credit products such as Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), catalogue purchases, and doorstep loans.

The report highlights that 38% of those with BNPL debt are single parents—the highest proportion among all household types.

Incomes falling short of essential costs

One of the key challenges is that many single parents do not earn enough to cover essential expenses.

Citizens Advice found that single parents now face the largest budget shortfall among its debt clients, with an average monthly gap of £19 between income and necessary spending.

On average, single parents spend 60% of their income on groceries, rent, and utilities.

The rising cost of childcare is another major barrier, with spending on childcare among debt clients increasing by nearly 33% over the past five years.

Many single parents struggle to work full-time due to caregiving responsibilities, limiting their ability to boost their income.

Ollie, a single parent of three, owes more than £11,000, including nearly £1,000 in fuel arrears and £6,000 in catalogue debt.

Despite receiving Child Benefit and Universal Credit, they fall £500 short each month before debt repayments.

“Rising living costs make it impossible to balance household expenses with debt,” they said.

Food banks and debt cycles

The report also highlighted the growing reliance on food banks among single parents in debt.

In 2024, nearly 24% of single parents seeking debt advice also required food bank support, compared to just 7% of couples with children.

Short-term credit is often used to cover essential costs, leading to long-term financial struggles.

One Citizens Advice adviser reported: “This client is using Buy Now Pay Later schemes just to afford groceries. Every month, they are forced to rely on BNPL again to meet basic needs, creating a cycle they cannot escape.”

Citizens Advice has called for more government action to support single parents, warning that rising debt levels could have long-term consequences for families.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “Single parents urgently need better support to manage household debts, avoid short-term credit traps, and provide for their children without sacrificing their own well-being.”