Welsh Government is asking Mental Health providers for their views on the Breathing Space (Debt respite scheme) Please see below:

Dear Colleagues

The Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme) covering England and Wales and was launched in May 2021 to provide individuals in problem debt with temporary protection from most enforcement action, interest, fees, and charges. The standard Breathing Space offers up to 60 days of relief for those receiving professional debt advice. The Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space last for the length of the crisis treatment, plus another 30 days.

The data shows that Wales has a higher rate of uptake for the standard Breathing Space scheme compared to England, but a lower rate of uptake for the Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space. We are working with colleagues in HM Treasury to understand the reasons for the different uptake rates in England and Wales.

We recognise that you have the knowledge and experience of helping people to access Breathing Space and we would be grateful for your views on the following:

• The processes that are working well for getting people into the standard Breathing Space scheme.
• Are there any specific drivers for the lower rate of uptake for the Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS). For example, are there barriers to care coordinators referring patient cases to Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) for potential MHCBS certification? Are AMHPs sufficiently aware of the MHCBS? If not, how could this be improved?

Please feel free to provide any other brief comments that you have on how processes could be improved to help people to access Breathing Space.

Please send your feedback to AdviceNetworks@gov.wales by 7 November 2025.