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.

Stocks and shares ISA vs cash ISA

How they differ, when each one fits and what changes in April 2027.

The short answer

You can put up to £20,000 a year into ISAs in 2026/27, split between cash and stocks and shares as you like. Both are free of income tax and Capital Gains Tax. The difference is risk: a cash ISA pays interest, while a stocks and shares ISA holds investments whose value can go down as well as up.

Side by side

Cash ISA: you earn interest, the amount you put in does not fall in value, and it suits money you may need soon.
Stocks and shares ISA: you hold funds, shares or similar. Over long periods investments have often grown more than cash, but there is no guarantee, and you can get back less than you paid in.
Tax: neither type pays tax on interest, dividends or gains inside the ISA.
Time frame: the longer you can leave the money, the more sensible it can be to consider investing. For a goal under about five years, many people prefer cash.

A change coming in April 2027

The government has announced that from 6 April 2027 the yearly limit for cash ISA contributions will fall to £12,000 for savers under 65, with the overall £20,000 limit staying the same. The remaining £8,000 could only go into other types, such as a stocks and shares ISA. Savers aged 65 and over keep the full £20,000 cash limit. Check the GOV.UK page below for the final rules.

Do you need an ISA at all?

Most people can earn some savings interest tax-free anyway through the Personal Allowance, the starting rate for savings and the Personal Savings Allowance. Try the savings interest tax calculator.
Outside an ISA you may pay tax on dividends above the £500 dividend allowance and on gains above the £3,000 annual exempt amount.
The Lifetime ISA adds a government bonus for a first home or retirement, see Lifetime ISA explained.

Practical tips

You can only pay into one cash ISA and one stocks and shares ISA each tax year, among other rules, so check the current rules before opening more than one.
To move an ISA, ask the new provider to transfer it. Do not withdraw the money yourself, or you may lose the tax-free allowance for that amount.
Whether you can take money out and put it back in the same year depends on the provider, so check before you rely on it.

Where to learn more

Investing carries risk: the value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you put in. This guide is for information only and is not financial or tax advice. Rules and amounts can change, so check the official pages before you rely on them.