Household debt is no longer only about credit cards, loans or missed mortgage payments. For many people in the UK, the biggest pressure now comes from essential bills: energy, water and broadband.

A new National Audit Office report has found that debt owed to energy and water companies has climbed to more than £7bn. At the same time, millions of customers are missing out on support that could help them manage arrears, reduce bills or agree a more affordable way to pay.

We look at why essential household debt is rising, why support schemes are not reaching enough people, and what this means for creditors, regulators, vulnerable customers and the wider debt collection sector.

Energy debt has more than doubled since 2021, rising by 118%. The NAO also found that only around a third of eligible broadband customers and 39% of water cu ...