Debt Reckoning

About Debt Reckoning

The podcast of the Institute of Money Advisers, and the Internet's only debt advice podcast. Join Andy Shaw and Antonio Pupino, plus guests, as we discuss topical issues in money advice and personal finance.

Publisher

Institute of Money Advisers

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Apr 2024

Latest episode

18 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Sept 2026

   Nostalgia Special (20 Years of the IMA)

   Who remembers Debt Advice? As you may have heard, in 2026, the IMA is celebrating its 20th year - so we decided to take a trip into the past with two guests who were there at the very beginning, to talk about what life was like as a debt adviser in those days, what's changed, and what the future might look like. Graham O'Malley (Citizens Advice) and Meg van Rooyen (Money Advice Trust) join Antonio and Andy to share thoughts, memories and long-forgotten acronyms from the last 20 years in debt advice. Useful links: IMA Virtual Conference, 13th & 14th October 2026 (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/other-services/ima-conference/) Become a member of the IMA (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/)

2. 

   7 Aug 2026

   A Secret Set of Figures (GMMAG, Part 3)

   We're back at the Greater Manchester Money Advice Group for the final part of our discussion with Tim Nelson (GMMAG), Cecilia Torsney (RB Greenwich) and The Chat. This time, we discuss the pros and cons of the Standard Financial Statement as a tool for debt advisers, and how advisers can get the most out of the Debt and Mental Health Evidence Form. (Apologies for the audio quality in some parts of the episode. The GMMAG session was recorded on Zoom, and some contributors had better connections than others). Useful links: The Standard Financial Statement (https://standard-financial-statement.maps.org.uk/en) Debt and Mental Heath Evidence Form, v4 (https://moneyadvicetrust.org/advice-services/dmhef/) Become a member of the IMA (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/)

3. 

   12 Jun 2026

   Is Growth Happening Right Now? (Consumer protection, LIVE at IMA Conference 2026)

   The balance between driving economic growth through reduced regulation and securing consumer protection is a discussion we've frequently had on the podcast. So it was great to take our arguments to the biggest debt advice event of the year, and have them in front of a live audience, together with a panel of experts. Recorded live at the IMA's annual conference at the Lowry Hotel, Manchester, on 4 June 2026, Antonio and Andy are joined by Megan Lloyd (Advice Knowledge team, Citizens Advice), Gareth McNab (Principal, Unsecured Consumer Credit at UK Finance) and John Wightman (Head of Consumer Finance Market Analysis, Policy and Strategy at the Financial Conduct Authority) to consider the important issues - consumer confidence, the role of the Ombudsman, access to justice and more. (NB: For those patiently waiting, Part 3 of our episode recorded at GMMAG will be published very soon). Useful links: FCA report into Retained Provisions of the Consumer Credit Act (https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/corporate-documents/review-retained-provisions-consumer-credit-act-final-report) Resolution Foundation: Living Standards Outlook 2026 (https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/living-standards-outlook-2026/) Citizens Advice literature review on consumer protection and economic growth (https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publications/consumer-protection-and-economic-growth-literature-review/) Become a member of the IMA (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/)

4. 

   28 Apr 2026

   Less Compliance More Defiance (Greater Manchester Money Advice Group, Part 2)

   Antonio and Andy are back with the Greater Manchester Money Advice Group. Our panelists Cecilia Torsney (Royal Borough of Greenwich) and Tim Nelson (GMMAG) join a room full of debt advisers to talk about the most pressing issues affecting them and their clients. In this episode, we consider the changing role of the debt adviser - have we lost our client-centred approach? Do we need to be more adversarial? And what can we do to reverse this direction of travel? Useful links: IMA Conference - 4th June 2026, in Manchester (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/other-services/ima-conference/) Become a member of the IMA (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/)

5. 

   25 Mar 2026

   The Crossover No One Asked For (Greater Manchester Money Advice Group, Part 1)

   What happens when the Internet's only debt advice podcast records an episode in front of a virtual room full of debt advisers? Thanks to our friends at Greater Manchester Money Advice Group, we found out. Antonio and Andy are joined by Cecilia Torsney of RB Greenwich and Tim Nelson of GMMAG to discuss a variety of debt advice-related topics, as suggested by GMMAG members. In Part 1 of our discussion, we cover the perennially difficult issue of communications between debt advisers and creditors, with a diversion into the frustrating world of breathing space. These episodes were recorded over Zoom rather than with our usual software, so apologies for any reduced audio quality. Useful links: IMA Conference, 4 June 2026 in Manchester (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/other-services/ima-conference/) Become a member of the IMA (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/)

6. 

   6 Feb 2026

   Shocking Sir Stephen (A statutory advice duty, with Daphne Hall)

   Happy New Year, listeners! With 2025 in the books, we look ahead (with customary optimism) to 2026 by discussing the National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers (NAWRA)'s campaign to introduce a statutory duty for local authorities to ensure access to social welfare advice. Daphne Hall, NAWRA Vice Chair, joins Antonio and Andy to explain why this is needed, what it might mean for local and national advice services, and how to stop for-profit commercial firms from hoovering up all the money earmarked for helping vulnerable people. Useful links: NAWRA launches campaign for advice to be a statutory duty at the House of Commons (https://www.nawra.org.uk/2026/01/nawra-launches-campaign-for-advice-to-be-a-statutory-duty-at-house-of-commons/) Support NAWRA's campaign (https://forms.logiforms.com/formdata/user_forms/14397_8940992/414737/page1.html?cachebust=4812) Become a member of the IMA (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/)

7. 

   31 Oct 2025

   Front Loading the Joy (Debt advice news)

   It's been a while since we last put out an episode - and lots has been happening in that time. Antonio and Andy run through a few topical items that have been going on since our last Debt Reckon, including the FCA's motor finance compensation scheme, a newsworthy intervention from the Enforcement Conduct Board and potential changes to the remit of the Financial Ombudsman Service. Useful links: FCA motor finance redress scheme - press release (https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/14m-unfair-motor-loans-compensation-proposed-scheme) 'Britain's largest bailiff firm forced into refunds scheme after overcharging.' The Guardian, 15th August (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/aug/15/britains-biggest-bailiff-firm-forced-into-refunds-programme-after-overcharging) ECB: Chief executive's report, October 2025 (https://enforcementconductboard.org/chief-executives-report-october-2025/) HM Treasury: Review of the Financial Ombudsman Service (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fs-sector-strategy-review-of-the-financial-ombudsman-service/review-of-the-financial-ombudsman-service-consultation-accessible)and the IMA's response (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/download/16410/?tmstv=1759999911) Become a member of the IMA (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/)

8. 

   18 Jul 2025

   Everything Is A Last Resort (Council Tax)

   It's summertime, which means only one thing - the government will be undertaking some debt-related consultations. This year, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have obliged, with a fresh look at the administration and enforcement of council tax, an issue that is always close to the hearts of debt advisers. In this episode, Antonio and Andy take a closer look at the government's proposals, alternately lamenting the missed opportunities and welcoming the chance to make meaningful change. There's also a bonus look at some council tax case law, revisiting our favourite legal phenomenon, the Freemen-on-the-Land. Useful links: MHCLG consultation on council tax (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/modernising-and-improving-the-administration-of-council-tax/modernising-and-improving-the-administration-of-council-tax) R (Peacekeepers Foundation) v Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates Court [2025] EWHC 1493 (Admin) (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2025/1493.html) Become a member of the IMA (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/)

9. 

   17 Jun 2025

   The First Ever Round of Applause (Enforcement, Live at IMA Conference)

   Carole Kenney, David Parkin, and Yvonne Fovargue discuss the effectiveness of the Enforcement Conduct Board's voluntary scheme and future developments needed to regulate enforcement agencies, recorded live at the IMA conference in an interview with Antonio and Andy.

10. 

    30 May 2025

    Ignore The Human Element (The FCA Strategy, 2025-30)

    Hosts Antonio and Andy analyze the Financial Conduct Authority's 2025-30 strategy, exploring its potential impact on debt advisors and consumers navigating financial challenges.

11. 

    4 Mar 2025

    Accidental, Unavoidable Dividends (Energy Debt Write-offs)

    The rising price of gas and electricity has caused some of the biggest issues seen by debt advisers over the last few years, with people experiencing increasing levels of unmanageable debt. Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator, has proposed a number of interventions to try and address the issue - including a scheme to write off up to £1 billion of unpaid energy bills. But what do debt advisers really think of these ideas? Have Ofgem been talking to the right people? And just how much universal credit does someone receive anyway? We talk to Amy Taylor, chair of the Greater Manchester Money Advice Group, who responded to Ofgem's consultation, about whether the proposals go far enough, and the role of debt write-offs more generally in a debt adviser's toolkit. Useful links: Ofgem: A 'reset' and 'reform' for people in energy debt (https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/debt-strategy-reset-and-reform-customers-debt) IMA response to the consultation (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/download/16170/?tmstv=1738832938) GMMAG response to the consultation (https://t.co/HCOCEBmByn) IMA Money Advice Awards 2025 (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/money-advice-awards/) Become a member of the IMA (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/)

12. 

    10 Jan 2025

    Antonio Does Mastermind (The New Year Quiz)

    Antonio, the Money Advice Specialist, puts his knowledge to the test in a year-end quiz, revealing the key takeaways and insights from 2024's debt developments and offering a cautiously optimistic outlook for the next year.

13. 

    1 Nov 2024

    Staring Into the Abyss (IVAs)

    IVAs are by far the most common form of personal insolvency, with high-profile advertising and promotion helping them to outstrip other solutions. But does this mean that everyone who enters an IVA receives a good service? New research from the Insolvency Service highlights the problems in the 'take-on' process for IVAs, from bad advice at the outset to poor treatment of customer vulnerability. In this episode, Antonio and Andy discuss the Insolvency Service's findings and what they might mean, including a genuine difference of opinion on whether the Government's IVA guidance strikes the right balance. Useful links: Insolvency Service report into Individual Voluntary Arrangements (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/insolvency-service-report-into-individual-voluntary-arrangements-ivas) Government guidance about the report (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/insolvency-service-research-into-individual-voluntary-arrangements-ivas) Join the IMA (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/)

14. 

    27 Sept 2024

    55 Really Interesting Pages (Public Sector Debt)

    Debts owed to the public sector, including local authorities, are one of the bigger issues facing debt advisers and their clients, with reports of aggressive collection practices and poor approaches to vulnerability. The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute's new report In the public interest? provides new evidence about the extent of these problems. Antonio and Andy are delighted to welcome Toby Murray, one of the report's authors, to talk about the research and what can be done to improve matters. Useful links: Money and Mental Health 'Council Tax Trap' campaign - sign the petition (https://www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/council-tax-trap/) In the public interest? - full report (https://www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/publications/in-the-public-interest/) R (Nicholson) v Tottenham Magistrates [2015] EWHC 1252 (Admin) (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2015/1252.html) IMA Virtual Conference 2024 (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/other-services/ima-conference/) Join the IMA (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/)

15. 

    23 Aug 2024

    Better Call SDAS (Breathing Space, Part 2)

    Antonio and Andy are joined once more by Luke Oliver of Shelter's Specialist Debt Advice Service, to continue our discussion of the Debt Respite Scheme (a.k.a. breathing space) and the court decisions that have shaped it. Topics of discussion include: the interaction between breathing space and bankruptcy proceedings, the inclusion of mortgage debts in breathing space, evidence requirements for mental health crisis breathing space and the big question - have the various court judgments for breathing space served to strengthen the scheme, or undermine it? Corrections corner: About five minutes into the episode, we start discussing the case Yianni v Paliouras, incorrectly referring to it as an unpublished County Court judgment. It's actually a High Court judgment, and since we recorded the episode, a transcript is now available to subscribers of Lexis+. We apologise for the error. Court cases cited in this episode: Bluestone Mortgages Ltd v Stoute [2024] (unpublished, County Court at Canterbury) - summary on Shelter Legal (https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/debt/debt_case_law_summaries/bluestone_mortgages_ltd_v_stoute) Brake & Anor v Guy & Ors [2022] EWHC 2797 (Ch)⁠ (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2022/2797.html) ⁠Carter v Davies [2024] EWHC 1536 (Ch) (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2024/1536.html) IV Fund Limited SAC v Mountain [2021] EWHC 2870 (Ch) (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2021/2870.html) ⁠Kaye v Lees (2) [2023] EWHC 152 (KB)⁠ (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/KB/2023/152.html) ⁠Kaye v Lees (3) [2023] EWHC 758 (KB)⁠ (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/KB/2023/758.html) West One Loan v Salih [2022] (unpublished, Central London County Court) - ⁠summary on Shelter Legal (https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/debt/debt_case_law_summaries/west_one_loan_v_salih) Yianni v Paliouras [2024] EWHC 1301 (Ch) - summary on Shelter Legal (https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/debt/debt_case_law_summaries/yianni_v_paliouras) Other links: IMA Virtual Conference 2024 (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/other-services/ima-conference/) Debt Respite Scheme regulations⁠ (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1311/contents/made) ⁠Shelter Specialist Debt Advice Service⁠ (https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/debt_advice/sign_up_for_our_debt_ebulletin) - sign up for their ebulletin Join the IMA (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/)

16. 

    19 Jul 2024

    Not Enemies of the People (Breathing Space, Part 1)

    The Debt Respite Scheme, commonly known as 'breathing space,' has been in place for over three years, and has been the subject of numerous court judgments in that time. But what is the overall impact of those cases? Have they served to strengthen the scheme, or undermine it? Andy and Antonio are joined by Luke Oliver of the Specialist Debt Advice Service at Shelter for the first part of this two-part discussion of breathing space and the court decisions that have shaped it. Court cases cited in this episode: Brake & Anor v Guy & Ors [2022] EWHC 2797 (Ch) (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2022/2797.html) Carter v Davies [2024] EWHC 1536 (Ch) (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2024/1536.html) Kaye v Lees (2) [2023] EWHC 152 (KB) (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/KB/2023/152.html) Kaye v Lees (3) [2023] EWHC 758 (KB) (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/KB/2023/758.html) West One Loan v Salih [2022] (unpublished, Central London County Court) - summary on Shelter Legal (https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/debt/debt_case_law_summaries/west_one_loan_v_salih) Other links: Debt Respite Scheme regulations (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1311/contents/made) Shelter Specialist Debt Advice Service (https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/debt_advice/sign_up_for_our_debt_ebulletin) - sign up for their ebulletin Join the IMA (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/)

17. 

    28 Jun 2024

    Making Advice Great Again

    The UK general election is upon us, slightly earlier than anticipated, which means it's time to have a really good Debt Reckon about what the next government should change about the world of debt and debt advice. Andy has been speaking to delegates at the IMA Conference, asking them what one change they would make to Make Advice Great Again (don't abbreviate that). In this episode, he and Antonio discuss their answers - from changing funders' targets to fixing Universal Credit - and reflect on what the priorities for the next government should be. Become a member of the IMA: https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/ (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/)

18. 

    16 May 2024

    Wearing Two Hats (The Great IMA Conference Preview)

    Antonio and Andy look ahead to the IMA Conference, which takes place on Wednesday 12th June at the Rep Theatre in Birmingham. Book your place on the IMA website: https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/other-services/ima-conference/ (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/other-services/ima-conference/) Topics of discussion: The FCA consumer duty, forthcoming changes to debt relief orders, how to solve the problem of energy debt and another interesting item of case law. Links: Changes to debt relief orders: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-debt-relief-orders-will-support-people-in-financial-distress (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-debt-relief-orders-will-support-people-in-financial-distress) Santander Consumer (UK) plc v Chaudhry [2024] EWHC 170 (KB): https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/KB/2024/170.html (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/KB/2024/170.html)

19. 

    11 Apr 2024

    The Internet's Only Debt Advice Podcast

    Andy and Antonio introduce Debt Reckoning, the podcast of the Institute of Money Advisers. In this episode, we discuss the recently-concluded Money and Pensions Service consultation into their future strategy for debt advice. We then move on to the weird world of Freemen-on-the-Land, and some recent case law that might change the way we advise on council tax... or not. Links: MaPS consultation on its future debt advice strategy: https://maps.org.uk/en/publications/consultations-and-responses/2024/consultation-on-MaPS-proposals-for-delivery-of-debt-advice-strategy (https://maps.org.uk/en/publications/consultations-and-responses/2024/consultation-on-MaPS-proposals-for-delivery-of-debt-advice-strategy) IMA response to the MaPS consultation: https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/download/15525/ (https://www.i-m-a.org.uk/download/15525/) Case transcript of Leighton v Bristow & Sutor (£): https://www.scribd.com/document/695844390/Leighton-V-Bristow-Sutor-Cardiff-Hcj-Judgment-20230920-V-Final (https://www.scribd.com/document/695844390/Leighton-V-Bristow-Sutor-Cardiff-Hcj-Judgment-20230920-V-Final) Get in touch If you any questions or comments about Debt Reckoning, or a suggestion for a future episode or guest, you can email the IMA at office@i-m-a.org.uk (mailto:office@i-m-a.org.uk).

Who has been a guest on Debt Reckoning

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Carole Kenney
• David Parkin
• Yvonne Fovargue

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

4.2 / 5

26 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

25

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

67