Is debt advice really free?

Yes, with the charities and services listed above. They are funded so you do not have to pay. If a company asks for an up-front fee for advice, stop and check them against the Financial Conduct Authority's register first.

Will getting debt advice affect my credit score?

Talking to an adviser does not affect your credit file. Some solutions, such as a debt management plan or IVA, can be recorded on it. An adviser will explain the effects before you choose.

Will the adviser judge me?

No. Debt advisers help people from all walks of life, and what you tell them is confidential. Many people get into debt after a job loss, illness, relationship breakdown or a rise in living costs.

Does Sterlingsum give debt advice?

No. Sterlingsum is an information site and is not authorised to give debt advice. We link to organisations that are. We do not receive payment from any of the services listed on this page.

Tax on a second job explained

Why a second job is often taxed from the first pound, and what to check.

The short answer

Your second job is taxed through PAYE like your first, but you only get one Personal Allowance, and it is normally used up by your main job. The second job is therefore usually taxed from the first pound, often at 20% or at a higher rate if your total pay is high enough. You also pay National Insurance on each job separately.

What your tax code usually looks like

BR: all pay from this job is taxed at the basic rate (20%). This is common on a second job.
D0: all pay is taxed at the higher rate (40%). This can apply if your total income is high.
D1: all pay is taxed at the additional rate.
A normal code such as 1257L on both jobs is a common mistake. You would be getting your allowance twice and could owe tax later.

How National Insurance works with two jobs

Each employer calculates your National Insurance separately, using the thresholds for that job. You do not add the pay together for the usual employee contribution rates, although there are rules to protect people from paying too much overall. Check your totals if you have two jobs and ask HMRC if you think you have paid too much.

What to do

Make sure HMRC knows about both jobs, so your codes add up correctly. You can check and update your details in your personal tax account.
Check the tax code on each payslip. See tax codes explained.
If your total income is over £100,000, your Personal Allowance starts to reduce, see the Personal Allowance explained.
If you also have self-employed income, you may need Self Assessment, see tax on a side hustle.

Check your total

Use the take-home pay calculator with your combined salary to see the full year's tax, then compare it to what you have actually paid on your payslips.

Where to learn more

This guide is for information only and is not tax, benefits or financial advice. Rules and amounts can change, so check the official pages before you rely on them.