Can't tell if this is sarcasm.

Then again, maybe I am overly cynical. UK utilities at least do seem to have a more positive approach towards people struggling to pay than other countries.

To some degree you're right - if you've got a landlord you need to pay or a utilities provider (assuming you're not horrendously behind already) then sure, but it'd depend on the creditor. I suspect these lads wouldn't be particularly sympathetic, for example: https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/2015/11/24/warning-of-loa...