- Funding partnership will help PayPlan and StepChange provide impartial debt advice to millions of people facing financial difficulties
- The agreements are part of NatWest’s ambitions to improve financial resilience and inclusion across the UK
- NatWest Group aims to support 50,000 people with free financial education in their workplace or community group during 2026 through the Financial Foundations programme.
NatWest Group has pledged to provide an £8million 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 over 20 years funding partnership 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.
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, commented: "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 has been committed to improving financial education through partnerships with schools and youth clubs for over 30 years. It 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.
The commitments form part of the bank’s new five point Growing Together plan, setting out how the bank will help build the conditions for UK-wide growth - including boosting financial confidence amongst families and young people.
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.
Notes to editors
NatWest
NatWest Group is a vital and trusted partner to over 20 million customers across its Retail Banking, Private Banking & Wealth Management, and Commercial & Institutional businesses.
About the Financial Foundations Workshops
NatWest Group’s free Financial Foundations workshops are designed to help participants across the UK take control of their money, build confidence and plan for the future. The six different sessions cover essential skills — from budgeting and saving to understanding borrowing and preparing for life events.
Working closely with partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors, NatWest colleagues volunteer their time and expertise to deliver workshops tailored to local needs. The programme gives people the practical tools to make informed financial choices and strengthen their long-term resilience.
*NatWest Group's Financial Foundations programme was awarded silver in the Financial Education and Inclusion Initiative category at the 2025 Global Good Finance Awards. The category recognises programmes and activities that are developed with the aim of expanding learning about finance, enhancing access to financial information, and how managing finances can improve outcomes for individuals. The 2026 ambition for the Financial Foundations programme covers 1 January to 31 December 2026.
StepChange
StepChange Debt Charity is the UK’s largest debt advice charity. Founded in 1993, StepChange supports people experiencing debt problems through online and telephone services, and campaigns for change to reduce the harm and stigma associated with debt.
StepChange’s Debt Awareness Week will run from 16th to 22nd March, and aims to break the stigma of debt, start conversations and challenge harmful assumptions.
PayPlan
For more than 30 years, PayPlan has helped hundreds of thousands of people across the UK take control of their finances and live life free from debt.
As one of the UK’s largest debt advice providers, PayPlan offers confidential, FCA-regulated advice and a wide range of debt solutions, tailored to each individual’s circumstances.
With a focus on compassion, accessibility and long-term support, PayPlan helps people find a clear way forward - whether that’s through a formal or informal managed plan, budgeting advice or general money guidance.
PayPlan was named Debt Advice Provider of the Year at the 2025 Credit Strategy Collections & Vulnerability Awards. The awards recognise organisations that go above and beyond to support people in financial difficulty.
For more information, visit www.payplan.com.
