Campaign News

Saving Gateway - further information for intermediaries and advice providers.

The third in a series of newsletters providing information on Saving Gateway is now available.

A financial modelling spreadsheet to complement the 'Credit Unions and Saving Gateway' presentation from the Saving Gateway Credit Union Workshops is now available here

DWP Scottish Financial Inclusion Champions are looking to support new and innovative financial inclusion activity and are seeking proposals from established Third Sector not for profit organisations and partners with a track record in their area to support small-scale financial inclusion initiatives.

The DWP Financial Inclusion Champions are seeking proposals from Third Sector not for profit organisations to support small-scale financial inclusion initiatives.

DWP are looking for tenders to provide Home Contents Insurance Tenant Engagement teams or individuals in Glasgow and specific areas of London.

Copies of the presentations and handouts as presented at the recent Saving Gateway credit union workshops in Birmingham, Cardiff and Glasgow are now available.

Saving Gateway - There is now a single E-mail address for all enquiries and requests for information.

A vacancy has arisen at Sanctuary Housing North for a Financial Inclusion Champion

In May 2009 the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced they wouldl be advertising new Growth Fund delivery opportunities within specified locations. The DWP are now seeking suitable providers for Growth Fund delivery across the West Midlands Government Office Region.

The DWP are now seeking suitable providers for Growth Fund delivery in York and North Yorkshire.

The DWP are seeking a suitable provider to deliver GF across the Northampton Borough Council area.

An operation guide to delivering Credit Union services in rural areas is now available.

The ANEC Child Poverty Task and Finish Final Report is now available

HMRC (in partnership with DWP) will host a Saving Gateway workshop for credit unions in Glasgow on 2nd December.

The Association of North East Councils has published a report “Child Poverty – Tackling Child Poverty Task and Finish Group”.

The 2009 Transact Survey is now available from their website.

The first in a planned series of regional money guides was launched in Stockton on Tees in July, by Ross Hume, Financial Inclusion Champion for the North East. It was published as a response to problems older people encounter with their finances, and in particular as a result of the recession. Contents include information on Pensions, Benefits, Budgeting, Debt, Insurance, Tax, Legal Affairs and Consumer Problems.

The Targeted Support Fund, worth £15million in total, provides grants between £10,000 and £40,000 to the organisations helping those most at risk of increased deprivation due to the economic downturn. The fund helps them provide support to their communities through a range of recession focused services relating to information and guidance, health and wellbeing, and employment.

A new funding opportunity for those who deliver affordable credit

The Royal British Legion, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and Citizens Advice launched a Benefits and Money Advice Service to help provide help to the Serving and ex-Serving community, and their dependants.

This guide is for anyone who needs information and help about ID and for people helping others with ID.

Information on the new government supported cash savings scheme for working age customers on low incomes, including a summary of current developments.

NHS Direct have been commissioned by the Department of Health to provide the public with a dedicated national helpline and signposting service to assist them in getting the support they need.

The ABI's 'Access to Insurance' microsite went live on 3rd July 2009.

This survey was carried out by the DWP Housing Champions working with CIH.

A loan shark who charged an interest rate of more than 8,000,000% has been jailed for eight months.

The Financial Inclusion Taskforce's website has recently been updated.

There have been changes to the timetable for submitting expressions of interest to deliver The Growth Fund.

All Regions now have Organisations in place to host the Champions Teams.

This is the new web portal on loan sharks

We are now advertising again to procure service coverage for the next stage of our plans in: England Gateshead Derwentside Chester-le-Street

Bristol City Council has been chosen to host a Strategic Financial Inclusion Champion for Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean, Gloucester, Stroud and Tewkesbury.

The Financial Inclusion Strategy for Wales sets out the Welsh Assembly Government’s vision, policy and plan to promote financial inclusion over the next three years.

As part of the wider Financial Inclusion Champions initiative, DWP are looking for tenders to provide Home Contents Insurance Tenant Engagement teams or individuals.

We have recently received requests for copies of leaflets and posters

A report has been produced by The Local Government Association (LGA) and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)

As we move into the first few days of the New Year we thought it appropriate to take stock of the Growth Fund.

The DWP Financial Inclusion Team celebrated success at this year's Government Finance Profession (GFP) Awards claiming top gong for Innovation in Government for Growth Fund work .

North East England visit Brussels

A Shropshire scheme which has more than 1600 local savers received the seal of approval from Will Aston Rural Champion.

Financial exclusion is one of the biggest challenges facing rural areas of the West Midlands.

Help the Aged have produced a toolkit for advice agencies and credit unions called "Lost In The Money Maze

Save Xmas is a long-term consumer education campaign to help consumers decide how best to ensure they can afford to pay for Christmas.

A new team that will develop local networks to stimulate basic financial services for financially excluded people in Wales was launched by Social Justice Minister Dr Brian Gibbons today (Wednesday 22 October).

The nowletstalkmoney discussion forum is now ten months old, have you taken a look yet?
 
It’s a place where you can discuss your views and share your thoughts on issues regarding financial inclusion.  This could be at various levels: 

• A problem(s) that your organisation has faced in trying to work differently to address financial exclusion.

• Something you or your organisation has done differently that has worked well – or not so well so people can avoid.

• You are thinking about trying something new/different in your working practices and want to know if others have already been through the same experience.

• You have heard something of interest and want to clarify or spread the good word

These are just some examples, please feel free to use this board as a communal resource to share thoughts, ideas and experiences.  We want you to make the board to what you think it needs to be. 
 
Have a look at some of the topics and watch the discussions grow.  Add something when you feel you are ready, before long you will be generating your own discussion topics!  Some of you may be less familiar with discussion forums than others, but please do not let this put you off.

Take a few minutes now to have a look ( http://forum.nowletstalkmoney.com )

The campaign customer contact centre will close as planned at the end of May 2008.
 
Customers who call the centre after the end of May will hear the following recorded  message:
 
To speak to someone about debt advice please call National Debt line on 0808 808 4000. Their service is free, confidential and independent.

For information about affordable credit, banking or low cost home insurance visit www.nowletstalkmoney.com

If you don't have access to a computer you can find out about affordable credit by ringing your local credit union (look for their number in Yellow Pages under 'credit unions').
 
Please remember to remove any remaining ‘now let’s talk money’ posters and leaflets from circulation.
 
Although the helpline will be closing in May, our work to support financially excluded people will continue. The best way for you to make sure you keep up-to-date with the latest news is through the campaign website.

A half-day conference bringing together organisations and agencies from across the public, private and community and voluntary sectors to help tackle financial exclusion in Northumberland, was held in Choppington on 14^th March 2008.
 
The conference was co-hosted by the Northumberland Strategic Partnership (NSP), Northumberland Citizens Advice Bureaux (CABx) and the Government’s ‘now let’s talk money’ (nltm) campaign which was launched last year to raise awareness of the products and services available to financially excluded people, including free face-to-face money and debt advice, affordable credit providers and basic bank accounts.
 
The event is being held at a time when UK personal debt is at record levels, forcing many individuals and families into financial difficulties and hardship and when 2.8 million people are excluded from mainstream financial services and products altogether.
 
Irene Lucas, Chief Executive of South Tyneside Council (Beacon Council for Financial Inclusion in 2007), gave the keynote address. 
 
Other speakers included: Allan Hepple of Blyth Valley Housing Company; Catherine Hine of LloydsTSB; Jen Hall of Berwick CAB, Nic Best of Northumberland Credit Union and Jan Bostock of Adult Mental Health Services who launched a report commissioned by the NSP entitled ”Poverty, Financial Exclusion and Health in Northumberland”. 
 
The conference was chaired by Liz Chadwick of Debt Advice within Northumberland, (DAWN).
 
John Temple, nltm Stakeholder Manager for NE England said,  ”This event provided an excellent opportunity for all relevant stakeholders across Northumberland to get together to discuss how they can work in partnership to tackle the growing problem of indebtedness and financial exclusion in both the urban and rural communities of the county”.

Have you been offered a cash loan?
 
Have you been threatened when you couldn't pay?
 
Has your benefit book or bank card been taken from you as a security?
 
Does what you owe keep growing even though you are making payments?
 
If you can answer yes to any of the above then you may have been bitten by a loan shark. If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing any of the above or has knowledge of loan shark activities then contact your local Loan Shark team  IN CONFIDENCE.

Teams operate in:

West Midlands
Contact us - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0121 693 1122
Or by email at stoploansharks@birmingham.gov.uk
Or by text to: loan(space)shark(space) + your message to 60003

East of England
Contact us - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0121 693 1122
Or by email at stoploansharks@birmingham.gov.uk
Or by text to: loan(space)shark(space) + your message to 60003

Yorkshire and Humber
Contact us - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on any of the following numbers 01274 82 1122
0114 201 1122
0113 225 1122
Or by email at stoploansharks@birmingham.gov.uk
Or by text to: loan(space)shark(space) + your message to 60003

South East
Contact us - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on one of the following numbers Or by email at stoploansharks@birmingham.gov.uk
Or by text to: loan(space)shark(space) + your message to 60003

North West
Contact us - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on one of the following numbers Or by email at stoploansharks@birmingham.gov.uk
Or by text to: loan(space)shark(space) + your message to 60003

Further information on other regional contacts will be displayed once updates are received.  You may also find it useful to visit the BERR (Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform) website by clicking here.
 

The Government today announced £12 million of funding for a large scale pilot scheme offering free financial guidance to consumers.  The money will be used to trial a system of generic financial advice, helping people with everything from managing debt, to saving for retirement and saving for a mortgage deposit.

The scheme is the main recommendation put forward by Otto Thoresen in his review of financial advice in the UK which was published today.
Mr Thoresen claims that by 2060 consumers could be up to £15 billion better off if they had access to high-quality, personalised and impartial guidance on financial issues.

The new system of financial guidance will be available to people through a variety of channels, including the internet, telephone and face-to-face.
It will be delivered in partnership with a range of organisations who already offer similar services.

The Government said today that it wanted to ensure people had access to better help and advice when they needed it, to help stop them from falling prey to loan sharks, doorstep lenders and unscrupulous sale and leaseback agents.

Chief secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper said: ``Whether it is working out credit card repayments, budgeting for a new baby, or planning for retirement, people have to make serious financial decisions at every stage of their lives.

``Getting some free, independent and trusted guidance, can make all the difference and can help families manage their budget and get a better return on their savings.
``It could also help prevent people getting ripped off by loan sharks or caught out by the small print on a dodgy financial deal.''

Access to financial services is vital to everyone, but rural areas face specific challenges. Our ‘Quids In’ campaign is trying to create greater awareness of the financial services needs of rural people.

Our new summary report 'Financial Inclusion: Boosting rural communities' and case studies present projects which succeed by involving the community in developing innovative ways of reaching out to help people. 

These schemes assist people to be ‘quids in’ by providing access to financial advice and to financial services. 

To find out more about our work on financial inclusion, and to access the summary report and casestudies click here. 

Paul Merrett, presenter of the BBC’s Ever Wondered about Food series, loves to share his passion for honest cooking. When we approached him to prepare a budget meal planner for the ‘now let’s talk money’ campaign he happily agreed to help. He told us what had inspired him to team up with the campaign.

“As a husband and father of two I know how hard it can be to cook cheap, healthy food that keeps the whole family happy. In joining with the campaign, I felt I could help bring healthy, affordable food to all families in the UK, even those struggling to manage their finances.”

“There is a common misconception that wholesome, healthy food is more expensive than unhealthy ready-made meals. By supporting the campaign I can help educate people that simple recipes with fresh ingredients can be made quickly and on a budget.”

Paul’s advice to people is to plan a weekly shopping list This makes it easier for them to buy what’s good for them, while keeping track of their weekly food spending.