How we can help you
Business Debtline is a charity run by the Money Advice Trust. We are a free debt advice service for the self-employed and small businesses in England, Wales and Scotland. We have helped thousands of people deal with their debts.
Our team of expert debt advisers care about improving your situation and will help you to take control of your debts. You can call or use webchat to contact us as many times as you need to. If you haven’t contacted us before and want to know what the best way to deal with your debts is, see our Getting ready for advice fact sheet first.
Our debt advisers come from a variety of different backgrounds. All of them are dedicated to helping you tackle your debts.
You can tell us
If you have a personal, health or other issue that is making it harder to manage your finances you can tell us.
If you tell us, it could help us to provide you with a better service. We'll also keep the information confidential.
Confidentiality
To protect your confidentiality, we have a permanent block on the "caller return" service. This means that if an adviser rings you back, our number will not be announced as the last number to ring you to anyone dialling "1471". This is in case you don't want anyone to know that we have contacted you.
Our vision
'Self-employed people across the UK to tackle their debts and manage their money with confidence'
We have a proven track record of giving expert debt advice to the self-employed for over 20 years. We promise:
- to provide expert debt advisers who are supportive and trained to a high standard;
- to stay committed to providing free, impartial and confidential debt advice;
- to talk you through the debt advice options that are right for you;
- to keep all of your personal information confidential; and
- not to pass your details on to any other organisation without your permission.
Our debt advisers
All Business Debtline advisers receive intensive training when they first join the service. We continue to develop and support our advisers by providing on-going training.
Business Debtline has a proven track record and we are proud to say that over 50% of the businesses we speak to continue to trade after receiving our advice.
Our debt advisers are the heart and soul of our service. Their expert knowledge of debt advice has helped thousands of people over the years. Many of them have been with us for over 10 years.
All our debt advisers are dedicated to giving high quality free debt advice to small businesses and the self-employed across the UK.
Our impact
Last year we helped 22,740 people on the phone and a further 12,740 people through our webchat service. In addition, there were 323,500 visits to the Business Debtline website.
We have recruited new debt advisers. We have also made our website content more accessible and mobile friendly.
Our latest news
As the numbers in self-employment grow, it is vital that we understand their challenges, as well as celebrating their successes.
The cost of doing business report is based on the experiences of 104 Business Debtline clients and our expert advisers. It summarises the challenges facing small business owners in difficulty.
Help with mental health difficulties
If you have mental health difficulties, extra help is available. There are a number of organisations that may be able to provide you with different types of support. Some of these are listed below.
Anxiety UK supports those living with anxiety disorders by providing information, support and understanding through a range of different services.
Mind provide confidential advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Rethink Mental Illness has a national helpline and local run services and support groups for people living with mental illness, their carers and relatives.
Samaritans are there to help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or will just be there to listen.
Sane provides care and emotional support for people with mental health problems, their families and carers as well as information for other organisations and the public.