Petition · past parliament
Suspend debt repayments during the coronavirus crisis
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
A 3-month freeze in mortgage payments is already in place. This should be extended to all consumer debts including credit cards, universal credit loans, council tax and utility bill arrears. This means waiving all interest, fees and enforcement action with no negative impact on credit scores.
More than 8 million people in the UK are struggling with problem debt. The unprecedented changes brought to the economy by this pandemic will leave many families unable to make ends meet.
The government has announced a 60-day "breathing space" for problem debts to come into force in 2021 [1]. It needs to be urgently brought forward, start immediately and last for 3 months as does the mortgage payment holiday.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/breathing-space-to-help-millions-in-debt
The government has announced a 60-day "breathing space" for problem debts to come into force in 2021 [1]. It needs to be urgently brought forward, start immediately and last for 3 months as does the mortgage payment holiday.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/breathing-space-to-help-millions-in-debt
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
You may wish to sign this petition calling for the same action.
Encourage lenders to suspend interest, fees and repayments during COVID-19: Encourage lenders to suspend interest, fees and repayments during COVID-19
Since starting this petition, many UK banks have announced measures to help people who are experiencing financial difficulties due to coronavirus. You should look at your bank's website or contact them directly to find out more.
You can read the Financial Conduct Authority's announcement on the temporary financial relief that banks can offer customers here: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-confirms-temporary-financial-relief-customers-impacted-coronavirus
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more and watch the Committee put questions suggested by petitioners to Government Ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/145767/committee-question-deputy-chief-medical-officer-and-ministers-on-coronavirus-response/
Read correspondence with Government Ministers asking further questions: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/publications/3/correspondence/
Encourage lenders to suspend interest, fees and repayments during COVID-19: Encourage lenders to suspend interest, fees and repayments during COVID-19
Since starting this petition, many UK banks have announced measures to help people who are experiencing financial difficulties due to coronavirus. You should look at your bank's website or contact them directly to find out more.
You can read the Financial Conduct Authority's announcement on the temporary financial relief that banks can offer customers here: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-confirms-temporary-financial-relief-customers-impacted-coronavirus
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more and watch the Committee put questions suggested by petitioners to Government Ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/145767/committee-question-deputy-chief-medical-officer-and-ministers-on-coronavirus-response/
Read correspondence with Government Ministers asking further questions: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/publications/3/correspondence/
Timeline
| 20 Mar 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 15 Apr 2020 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Rejected
Rejected
15 Apr 2020
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.