NatWest Group has pledged to provide an £8 million funding boost to leading consumer debt advice organisations PayPlan and StepChange as part of its commitment to improve financial resilience and financial inclusion across the country.
The continuation of the bank’s funding partnership of more than 20 years with the UK debt advice providers will help to safeguard and extend the independent and free services they provide for millions of people struggling with debt and money worries annually, it said.
NatWest will donate approximately £8 million to StepChange and PayPlan over the next two years, in addition to the FCA bank levy contribution, to help ensure that more people have access to impartial and free debt advice plus financial education.
Haydn Williams, Head of Financial Health & Support at NatWest, said:
“Our colleagues are trained in supporting customers in financial difficulty and through our long term partnerships with StepChange and PayPlan we can connect customers experiencing financial difficulties for free, independent debt advice, to help get them back on track. This is especially important for customers who may have debts with different companies.
“We are very proud to announce this additional funding to support free debt advice provision in the UK and help to ensure that people can receive the support they need during difficult times. PayPlan and StepChange are renowned for successfully helping people to get out – and stay out – of financial difficulty. Extending our partnerships allows NatWest to contribute to a wider social impact by promoting financial inclusion and stability not only to our customers, but wider communities too.”
Vikki Brownridge, CEO of StepChange Debt Charity, said:
“With the rising cost pressures continuing to affect households, the demand for accessible debt advice has never been greater. Last year StepChange reached 5.3 million people looking for help with their debts. As we near the end of the first year of our five year strategy, this renewed funding will help StepChange to continue to reach more financially vulnerable people, creating good outcomes and equipping them with the tools and the support they need to manage their debts effectively. We’re also excited to collaborate with NatWest on research into the financial challenges facing younger generations in the coming months.”
Rachel Duffy, CEO of PayPlan, added:
“NatWest’s commitment to extending this funding partnership is a significant boost to our ability to help those struggling with debt across the UK. It ensures that vital advice and support services remain available and sustainable, enabling more people to find manageable solutions and regain financial confidence. We are particularly excited to work together on co-designing new tailored digital referral journeys and ways of ensuring vulnerable customers can access advice in a way that works for them.”
As the UK’s largest specialist debt charity StepChange provides free debt advice and practical solutions, including debt management plans, budgeting help, and personalised support, to help reduce debt and secure long-term financial stability.
PayPlan offers free, simple debt advice to anyone who needs it, working closely with individuals and their creditors to negotiate affordable debt plans which help them take back control of their personal or business finances and become debt free.
The organisation also delivers debt advice sessions which empower participants to build financial resilience and avoid future debt crises re-occurring – aligning with NatWest’s own Financial Foundations training programme.
NatWest’s funding will support PayPlan’s ambition to deliver approximately 250,000 of these sessions across the UK throughout 2026 and beyond, and enable StepChange to reach more people through advice and research into debt.
NatWest recently announced plans to expand its Financial Foundations programme and support 50,000 people with free financial education in their workplace or community group during 2026.
NatWest customers can get in touch with PayPlan through the mobile banking app or contact StepChange directly. Advice for customers struggling financially can also be found on the NatWest website.
