Britain | Buy now, pray later

Britons’ use of consumer credit is rising with the cost of living

That makes robust regulation more urgent

“IT WAS EITHER use buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) or starve, so I used it.” Audrey, a pensioner who had been unable to pay for a £40 ($53) food shop, admitted this to Citizens Advice, a charity. “I sort of knew I would struggle to make the repayments but I did not have any other way of getting food.” She decided to spend the money on canned food rather than fresh produce so it would last longer.

This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “The borrowers”

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