Which bills should I pay first?
Add each bill or debt you are behind on. The Bill Prioritiser sorts them into the order that protects your home, your essential supplies and your goods, and tells you what each creditor can actually do.
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What makes a debt a priority?
A debt is a priority because of what can happen if you do not pay it — not because of how much it is or how often the creditor calls. Priority debts are the ones where you could lose your home, have your gas or electricity affected, have goods taken by bailiffs, or face court action with serious consequences. Credit cards, loans, overdrafts and catalogues are non-priority: the consequences are real (charges, defaults, a damaged credit file and, eventually, possible court action), but they cannot take your home or cut off a supply without a much longer process.
How the order is worked out
The tool puts priority debts first, then moves anything where court papers, bailiffs or an eviction notice have already arrived to the top of its group, and then orders by how serious the consequence is. The highest-pressure creditor is not always the most important one — a debt collector chasing a credit card can sound more urgent than a council tax reminder, but the council tax is the one with bailiff and wage-deduction powers.
What to do next
- Work out what you can afford with the budget calculator, covering essential living costs and priority bills first.
- Contact each priority creditor to agree an arrangement you can keep.
- Share what is left fairly between non-priority creditors with the Offer Pack.
- If you cannot cover your priority bills, speak to a free adviser this week. Priority debts explained.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland the same broad ranking applies, but the court and enforcement steps differ — see Scotland or Northern Ireland.
You never have to pay for debt advice. MoneyHelper (government-backed), StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice all give free, confidential advice with no obligation.
Common questions
Which debts should I pay first?
Priority debts: rent or mortgage, council tax, gas and electricity, court fines, child maintenance, income tax and VAT, TV licence and, if you need your car, hire purchase. These have the most serious consequences if they are not paid.
Is a credit card a priority debt?
No. Credit cards, loans, overdrafts and catalogues are non-priority. You still need to deal with them, but only after your priority bills and essential living costs are covered.
Is water a priority debt?
Water is usually treated as non-priority because your supply at home cannot be cut off, but you should still keep paying what you can and ask about social tariffs.