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Getting Out of Credit Card Debt in the UK
A worked sequence for clearing UK card balances, including balance transfers, persistent debt rules and where to get free advice.
Updated 25 August 2026 · 4 min read
Debt (UK)
What debt actually costs, and the orders of repayment that cost least.
The largest free lever in debt repayment is holding your total monthly payment steady as balances fall, rather than following the shrinking minimum down. If you have been paying more in interest and charges than principal over 18 months, FCA persistent debt rules require your lender to contact you and propose ways to repay faster — including, if you cannot afford them, reducing or waiving interest.
What this section covers
- What a carried balance really costs
- Avalanche and snowball, compared on real figures
- When cheaper credit is worth moving to
- Where to get free help, and what to avoid paying for
Written for the United Kingdom. Terminology, protection limits and regulators differ between markets, so a guide from another country will not transfer cleanly.
UK debt guides
Answer
Debt Snowball vs Avalanche: Which Works Better?
One method costs less in interest. The other is easier to keep going. Run both on your own figures and the choice usually makes itself.
Updated 25 August 2026 · 2 min read
Calculators
Tools for debt
Run the numbers on your own situation.
Debt payoff calculator
What order should I pay my debts off in?