In this month’s Debt Talk podcast, Ripon Ray explores one of the most pressing challenges in modern Britain: the real cost of digital inclusion. As technology becomes central to everyday life, what happens to those left behind? How do we bring marginalised communities into the digital mainstream without deepening inequality or compromising privacy?

Joining the conversation is Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, who unpacks what true digital inclusion means in today’s society. From a student needing online tools for geography lessons to individuals struggling to upload documents or access essential services, Elizabeth illustrates the profound impact of being digitally excluded. She reveals staggering figures on how many people remain disconnected and the steep social and economic cost of bridging that divide. Elizabeth also delves into the government’s proposed digital ID initiative, raising critical questions about the price of inclusion and the potential erosion of personal privacy in a data-driven Britain.

Rachael Tomaney, representing Napier AI, brings a vital perspective on how digital exclusion intersects with financial crime. She explains how individuals with limited digital literacy can unknowingly become conduits for money laundering and scams, as criminals exploit their vulnerability. With the rise of Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, Rachael stresses the importance of balancing innovation with protection — ensuring that while automation and AI enhance security, human oversight remains essential to prevent exploitation.

Together, our panel offers practical insights and top tips on tackling digital exclusion, from community-level engagement to policy-driven reform, ensuring that digital transformation uplifts, rather than marginalises, those most at risk.

Stay tuned for our next episode: “Financial Abuse and Its Impact on Communities.”

Welcome to Debt Talk, with me, your host Ripon Ray. Today, we’re diving into one of the most urgent social policy challenges of our time — the cost of housing. To unpack this complex issue, I’m joined by Assia Awaleh from Sapphire Independent Housing, an expert with deep insight into the history and realities of social housing in the UK.

Assia takes us on a journey through the evolution of social housing — from its capitalist roots, when employers provided homes for their workers, to the post-war era, when local authorities stepped in to rebuild communities devastated by bombing. She explains how the landscape shifted dramatically in the 1980s with Margaret Thatcher’s Right to Buy policy, which moved vast amounts of public housing into private hands. Ironically, many of those homes are now being rented back to low-income families at unaffordable prices.

We then turn to the future. Following the tragedies of Grenfell and Awaab Ishak — the two-year-old boy who died in 2020 due to mould in his home — there are new legal protections for tenants. From October 2025, social housing landlords, including councils and housing associations, will be legally required to fix reported hazards such as damp and mould. Tenants will have the right to take legal action if landlords fail to act.

Assia also addresses the stigma surrounding social housing and reminds us that many tenants are on low incomes or benefits — and there is no shame in that. Housing associations exist precisely to support those in financial hardship. However, for tenants on zero-hour contracts or precarious jobs, fluctuating income makes rent and budgeting even more difficult. That’s where housing associations step in — helping tenants access benefits and manage their money.

Finally, Assia calls for greater tenant participation, urging residents to join landlord committees — whether in social or private housing — to ensure their voices shape how housing is managed and improved.

Join us next time on Debt Talk, when we explore another pressing issue of inequality and access: “The Cost of Digital Exclusion.”

As we leave the summer of 2025 behind and step into October, we enter a month that is unapologetic, bold, and powerful: Black History Month in Britain. This is a time to honour struggle and triumph, to celebrate the contributions of Black communities, and to confront the uncomfortable realities of poverty and inequality that still persist today.

Welcome to the Debt Talk Podcast. I’m your host, Ripon Ray. This episode: “Poverty & Black History in Britain.” To guide us through this important conversation, I’m joined by two remarkable guests:

Jerry During, founder of Money A&E, the UK’s first lived-experience-led debt and financial education service, was born in Newham. Jerry shared how his father’s experience of debt shaped his childhood, and how his own awareness of being Black sharpened as he pursued a legal career. In law firms, the only non-white faces he encountered were in low-income roles, such as those of cleaners and receptionists. That moment stayed with him. His fascination with the diversity of challenges faced by indebted communities, alongside policy failures, drove him to create a service rooted in lived experience. As a Black man from East London, he set out to change the narrative and build something that spoke directly to the needs of his community.

Helen Barnard, Director of Policy and Research at the Trussell Trust, brought her powerful insights from the recent report “Hunger in the UK.” The research shows that Black and minority ethnic communities are twice as likely to experience food insecurity compared to white communities. She explained how insecure jobs, low pay, and a welfare system that fails to meet people’s needs fuel this crisis. Helen stressed the importance of centring lived experience in policy-making—not only because it gives voice to those most affected, but because it is essential for driving meaningful change.

Together, our expert panel provided practical tips for individuals facing financial struggles, as well as clear calls to action for policymakers to build fairer and stronger communities. Their voices carry weight in this vital month of recognition and resistance. And stay tuned—our next episode tackles another urgent issue: “Insecure Homes.”

In this month’s Debt Talk podcast, we discuss: Cars & Their Costs.

To explore the topic, Ripon Ray speaks with:

• Alison Tooze, from the British Association of Parking
• Sam Nurse, CEO of Money Advice Hub

Alison Tooze emphasised the importance of preventing parking-related crises and outlined steps drivers can take to reduce the risk of receiving fixed penalty notices or penalty charge notices. She noted that while the number of cars on the roads is increasing, available parking spaces are shrinking. Alison also stated that her members are responsible for managing parking spaces, which adds to the complexity of balancing road use and parking availability.

She explained the differences between tickets issued under criminal and civil law, how each is recovered, and the associated costs. Alison described how disputes can arise when road users believe tickets have been wrongly issued, and she outlined the process for challenging them. She noted that appeal decision-makers can also take mitigating circumstances into account.

Sam Nurse highlighted the importance of participating in a public consultation on the new Private Parking Code of Practice, which is seeking views on proposals to raise standards in the private parking sector. She pointed out that many parking facilities are oversubscribed, leading to people parking in prohibited areas. Other related pressures include the sharp rise in insurance costs—up by 200% in recent years. Sam noted that many of their clients are struggling to cover essential bills alongside car-related fines.

Both guests shared Top Tips for Debt Talk listeners on how to manage car-related costs and avoid unnecessary penalties.

The next Debt Talk podcast will focus on: Health & Costs.

Once an unknown territory, crypto and other digital assets have now become part of everyday life in Britain — and across the globe. On this episode of the Debt Talk podcast, Ripon Ray explores the complex intersections of cryptocurrency, digital finance, and gambling harms.

To help unpack this topic, Ripon is joined by:

• Ismail Malik – Executive Chairman of Blockchain Lab and CEO of InfraStaking, which develops AI-generated digital assets
• Matt Zarb-Cousin – Co-founder of Gamban and prominent gambling reform campaigner

Ismail Malik sheds light on how crypto products are being treated by governments across the UK, EU, and the US. He explains how cryptocurrencies and digital assets have evolved, the business models behind them, and how consumer protections differ internationally.

Matt Zarb-Cousin explores the growing overlap between digital finance and gambling harm. He questions whether gambling regulators are fit for purpose in protecting vulnerable communities, and discusses how products like Gamban offer layers of protection — while noting that more action is still needed.

Both guests share practical tips for listeners, especially for those struggling with gambling, on how to stay safe and informed in the digital financial landscape.

Next podcast is on: 'Cars and their costs'.

According to UK government data for the year ending 2023, there were an estimated 2.4 million separated families and 3.8 million children living in those households. More than half of divorced families had formal child maintenance arrangements—a figure that highlights the growing intersection of family separation and financial strain.

This month’s Debt Talk with Ripon Ray dives deep into the theme: ‘Family Planning, Divorce & Debt’, bringing forward real-life stories that reveal how personal relationships, cultural expectations, and legal frameworks collide—often with emotional and financial consequences.

Bilckis Khanom, a British Bangladeshi woman, bravely shares her story of marrying outside her religious and cultural upbringing. Although she married under Islamic law, her separation left her feeling isolated—both emotionally and socially. She discusses the legal and personal challenges she faced, and the profound impact of being disconnected from her community during a vulnerable time.

Matt Peloquin, an American father previously married to a Chilean diplomat, speaks about his experience navigating the Chilean court system. He claims that custody decisions favoured Chilean nationals, leaving him at a disadvantage as a foreign father. His child maintenance payments were significantly higher than those expected from local citizens. Out of this experience, he founded Support Fathers' Rights, an organisation campaigning for equitable treatment of fathers across borders.

Ella Betts from Christians Against Poverty offers a powerful perspective on the financial control and abuse that can occur during separations—especially when joint bank accounts and shared debts are involved. She outlines practical tools such as account freezes and access to ‘breathing space,’ but stresses that solving debt is only part of the solution. Collaboration between organisations is essential to offer holistic support during such critical moments in people’s lives.

All our guests also share TOP TIPS for listeners—practical advice for anyone who may be facing similar circumstances, or supporting someone who is.

Next episode: ‘Crypto, Digital Assets & Gambling’ — exploring the risks, realities, and financial consequences of the digital money world.

6% of UK children now rely on foodbanks. What does that say about the state’s responsibility toward children and other vulnerable members of society? Is the current welfare state fit for purpose? Or are we sleepwalking into the slow erosion of what remains of it?

In this month’s Debt Talk podcast, hosted by Ripon Ray, three distinguished experts joined the conversation on “Foodbanks & the Welfare State.”

Helen Barnard from the Trussell Trust spoke about how poverty in the UK runs far deeper than it appears. The prevalence of child poverty reflects the shameful state of public affairs in Britain, where turning to foodbanks has become the norm for many families. The lack of food at home doesn’t just affect individuals—it also places added pressure on public services, including health and social care.

Dan White from Disability Rights UK highlighted how already marginalised communities, particularly disabled people, have been further targeted by current government policies. Discrimination against disabled individuals isn’t limited to the benefits system; it begins early in education and continues through to employment. Meanwhile, vital public services like Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) have suffered significant cuts.

Glyn Robbins from London Metropolitan University explained how the privatisation of key pillars of the welfare state, such as housing, has worsened people’s wellbeing. He emphasised the need for collaborative work with local communities to resist further cuts. Reflecting on his experience in a housing association, he noted that housing conditions have deteriorated significantly over time.

All three panellists also shared top tips with Debt Talk listeners on how to organise campaigns that strengthen their communities and reduce reliance on foodbanks.

Next episode: Innovation in the Debt Sector

Just over 13% of the UK population are self-employed. Is being self-employed the way forward or are we forced to take the path in some sectors? In this month’s Debt Talk podcast, Ripon Ray spoke with three guests from many different perspectives.

James Harris has been self-employed for nearly 25 years in the creative sector. He explained how funding in his sector has been reducing since the 1990s. There are also very few fashion shows compared to when he began his career. His biggest worry is personal finance since Universal Credit introduced the Minimum Income Floor leading to him getting into rent and other arrears.

Andy Chamberlain - Director of Policy from the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-employed Limited - explained the direction of travel within the context of self-employment in the UK. He emphasised that more self-employed professionals are in the construction and literary creative industries. People in their 40s are more likely to be self-employed in these sectors instead of newly joined workers. He explained that employers should not deliberately choose to hire self-employed just to avoid giving workers their legal rights.

Sam Nurse - CEO of Money Advice Hub - emphasised that being self-employed can be a challenge due to many factors which may include lack of bookkeeping experience or not filing financial reports on time to relevant authorities. She recognised that Universal Credit’s Minimum Income Floor ended up discriminating against self-employed, unlike employees who claim welfare support.

The panelists also gave Debt Talk Listeners top tips. The next podcast is on ‘Foodbanks and the Welfare support.’

Imprisonment is an option for many councils in England to enforce council tax debt as a last resort if residents are wilfully refusing or are culpably neglectful to pay. On this month's Debt Talk podcast, Ripon Ray explored the ‘Prison & Council Tax’.

He invited Chris Daw KC and Russell Hamblin-Boone to join him to find out whether it is fair and cost-effective to imprison communities for non-payment of council tax.

Chris Daw KC, a criminal law expert, explained the history of debtors' prisons in the UK and how the measures were used against impoverished communities. He emphasised how Margaret Thatcher’s government introduced imprisonment as an option based on politically driven ideology and how this policy could be changed just by removing imprisonment from the legislation. He highlighted how costly it is to put someone in prison.

Russell Hamblin-Boone outlined the changes in the enforcement industry and how it has adapted to meet the council's needs and identify financial and other vulnerabilities. He emphasised the importance of partnering with private enforcement agent companies to recover council tax as an alternative to putting someone in prison as opposed to central government debts.

My panellists have also provided top tips to Debt Talk listeners in order to move forward both on a national issue and on the issue of private enforcement agents.

The Debt Talk podcast is on the: ‘Insecurities of being Self-Employed’.

Consumer credit data held by credit reference and other organisations have become an essential part of the financial market, both in lending and borrowing and debt collection to make the financial sector sustainable. In this month’s Debt Talk podcast, Ripon Ray discussed a crucial topic: ‘Credit Ratings & Debt.’ To navigate the essential subject, he has representatives from two major global credit reference agencies - Experian and Equifax, the Registry Trust, which holds data on a money judgement, and the debt collection and purchaser trade body representative - Credit Services Association.

James Jones from Experian spoke about its origin and current role in the financial services market. He explained the parameters in which credit reference agencies are data holders and how the agency gets information from lenders to make their data up-to-date and accurate for legitimate interest. He explored how the profiles of individuals are formed based on data collected and ways they develop credit scores based on algorithms. He also explained how the work of the credit credit reference agencies is regulated by the Information Commissioner Office (ICO) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Craig Tebbutt from Equifax UK, outlined how they obtain information on court judgements and Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) and what remedies are available to consumers when there are data collection and information accuracy disputes. He emphasised the importance of checking credit reports frequently and contacting the agencies when the data is inaccurate. He then explained where technological development and innovation lie from the product development perspective within personal finance and debt.

Chris Dick from the Registry Trust explained the difference between the data held by a credit reference agency and the trust. He distinguished how criminal court judgements are different from money judgments. When there are disputes and issues related to the data it holds, the data will go back to the courts or relevant judges concerned for correction. He also explained how innovation was developed from the data captured by the organisation.

Chris Leslie from the debt collections and purchasers trade body Credit Services Association explained the types of information their members would receive from the initial credit and how they would use the data from the credit reference agencies to identify individuals and their financial resilience to pay. Depending on consumer behaviour, a purchaser would act appropriately, check their affordability and explore income maximisation. When consumers have assets such as a mortgage or avoid paying, the purchaser may take legal action as a last resort to recover the outstanding balance.

My panel members also provided TOP TIPS to Debt Talk listeners either to improve their credit ratings or find ways to resolve their debt problems if they have defaulted.

The following podcast is on Debt Talk, which is on ‘council tax debt and imprisonment’.