Finance glossary
Breathing Space
Also known as: Debt Respite Scheme
In simple terms
Breathing Space is a government scheme that gives you legal protection from most creditors — pausing interest, charges and enforcement — for 60 days while you get debt advice.
On this page
What does breathing space mean?
Breathing Space (the Debt Respite Scheme) is a government scheme in England and Wales that gives people in problem debt legal protection from their creditors while they seek help. There is a standard version and a separate one for people in mental health crisis.
It does not write off debt — it gives you room to get advice and plan.
How breathing space works
You get it by speaking to a debt adviser, who checks you are eligible and applies for you. Standard Breathing Space lasts up to 60 days, during which most creditors must pause interest, fees and enforcement action, and stop contacting you about the debts.
The mental health crisis version lasts as long as the crisis treatment, plus 30 days.
How could this affect me?
Breathing Space can stop the pressure and give you time to find the right solution without debts growing. You are expected to keep paying what you can and to engage with debt advice during the period.
It applies to most, but not all, debts, and you can normally only use the standard version once in a 12-month period.
Things to watch out for
- It pauses collection but does not cancel the debt.
- You can usually only use standard Breathing Space once every 12 months.
- Some debts (for example certain ongoing liabilities) are not covered.
Know your rights
- Breathing Space is a legal protection under the Debt Respite Scheme (England & Wales); during it, covered creditors must pause interest, charges and enforcement.
- You access it free through a debt adviser such as StepChange, Citizens Advice or National Debtline.
General information, not personal advice
Consumer Credit is an independent information service. We do not provide regulated financial advice or sell financial products. For advice on your own situation, speak to an appropriately authorised firm or a free service such as MoneyHelper. About Consumer Credit.
Sources
We checked this page against these official and authoritative sources.
- MoneyHelper, Breathing Space scheme (opens in a new tab). Accessed 22 Aug 2026.
- GOV.UK, Debt respite scheme (Breathing Space) guidance (opens in a new tab). Accessed 22 Aug 2026.