Money Clinic podcast: How can I improve my credit score?

Most people know that you need a good credit score to be able to borrow money, but how to start building one is a mystery.

Listener Emma, 22, has never been in debt before, aside from her student loans. However, she has heard that getting a credit card could increase her chances of taking out a mortgage in the future.

Before she applies for one, what does she need to consider? Plus, if your credit score isn’t great, how can you improve it — and why might this be worth doing?

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Claer Barrett, Money Clinic presenter and the FT’s consumer editor, gives Emma’s credit score an MOT, with help from Katie Watts, a consumer expert at moneysavingexpert.com, and debt adviser Sara Williams, who runs the Debt Camel blog. Together, they explain the hidden world of credit scores, credit files and tips on how to use credit responsibly.

If you would like to be a guest on a future episode of Money Clinic, email us at money@ft.com or send Claer a DM on social media — she’s @ClaerB on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.