Understanding the interplay of financial change, debt, and lone parenthood in the UK: A secondary mixed methods analysis

Financial crises, austerity, and rising living costs have adversely affected the financial situations of many in the UK over the past decade and more. Debt is commonplace and has become a typical means of managing financial turbulence. However, managing debt and navigating financial changes pose significant policy challenges for low-income families like lone parents. Despite policy emphasis on personal financial responsibility, the impact of structural financial changes should be more evident. This article presents a novel secondary mixed methods study that uses two distinct national-level datasets to shed light on the heightened debt burdens faced by lone parents. The findings reveal that debt burdens frequently stem from factors outside their control, including reduced incomes, high living costs, adverse life events, and an insufficient welfare system. Intersecting inequalities compound these issues, forcing lone parents to make tough financial decisions with limited alternatives.