Can I claim irresponsible lending if stores gave me £5k credit with no checks?

I owe £5k in online store credit—Very, Littlewoods, Studio. I’m now in a DMP for t.

I do think it’s worth finding out if they gave me credit irresponsibly. Very and Littlewoods, in particular, did no affordability checks on me. Very kept offering me credit increases, despite my persistent debt with them.

How do I pursue this? Will I need to go to the Financial Ombudsman?

You’re the one who ultimately spent the money, sweetie. It’s not their fault. The first step is admitting you have a problem and then finding a way to solve it. They may have given you the credit, but you applied for it. I doubt anything will come of it if you want to try. It may cost you more money.