Latest news

The financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has set a deadline for Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) complaints: 29 August 2019.

Throughout the two-year campaign period we are partnering with the FCA to ensure that people impacted by the decision to introduce the deadline get the help and support they need in order to make a decision about claiming money back on PPI.

The FCA has also introduced a new basis on which to make a PPI complaint based on how much commission was paid to whoever sold the PPI policy.

CAP's CEO, Matt Barlow, said, 'Making a decision about whether to complain about PPI is an important one and we at CAP are here to provide our clients with any support they may need in order to make that decision.'

For more information on PPI and to find out what this means for you we recommend visiting the FCA website at fca.org.uk/ppi, or contacting their helpline on 0800 101 8800.

CAP has today been officially authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA was given significant powers to regulate more than 50,000 consumer credit firms in 2014 when it took over from the Office of Fair Trading. Since this time, it has been progressing through this large number of companies and organisations, rigorously inspecting each one.

As the news was announced, CAP's CEO Matt Barlow said, 'We fully support the FCA in its mission to ensure best practice in the industry on behalf of the consumer. It has long been our goal to offer the very best service to some of the most vulnerable in our society and therefore, I’m delighted the FCA has given us this official authorisation.' 

Applicants each have to meet a range of requirements to receive authorisation with the FCA reviewing business plans, risks assessments, budgets, resources, systems, controls and whether key staff have the necessary qualifications, experience and ability to carry out their roles effectively. The FCA’s comprehensive process has been another step in CAP’s 21-year history that has seen the charity win multiple industry awards including Debt Advice Provider of the Year in 2015 and the Insolvency Team of the Year the previous year.

Our very own Daniel Kelly from CAP’s External Affairs department found himself on national TV this week. CAP is one of seven charities asking together for bailiff reform in a campaign called Taking Control. Find out more about the campaign - and add your experience - on baliffreform.org.

Watch Daniel in action on BBC Breakfast News:

Over the next couple of weeks we’ll be making some changes to our website. We’re going to try and keep any down time to a minimum, but hopefully you’ll notice some improvements once we’re done!

Here’s some of the stuff we’ve been working on:

1. We’re making it easier to see the difference your support is making through CAP with a new section called Our impact - here you’ll find all the stories of lives changed and hear what others in industry, politics and public life are saying about us.
2. The site will make better use of large screens, and be easier to navigate on mobile devices.
3. Later in March we’re extending our search pages to include CAP Life Skills - our newest service, providing valuable support and skills for those living on a low income.

Our site is a pretty big one so if you come across a page that doesn't look quite right, please bear with us as we may still be working on it!

If web design is your thing, here's something that may be right up your street - we’re looking for a Front End Web Designer and Developer to join our creative team at CAP HQ! To find out more, click here.

CAP is joining forces with the UK's largest provider of foodbanks, The Trussell Trust, to bring sustained help to people in crisis.

The Trussell Trust already works with debt advice agency Community Money Advice (CMA), and this agreement with CAP provides further opportunity to seek long-term solutions for families. This means foodbanks in a range of communities, serving people with a range of needs, can offer even more help to get people out of crisis.

Debt and low income are among the most common causes of hunger in the UK, according to The Trussell Trust. Around one in twelve referrals are due to debt, but this does not take into account debts arising as a result of benefits issues, which continue to be the most likely reason a person is referred to a Trussell Trust foodbank.

A CAP survey of 1,200 debt clients showed 93% were able to feed their family following debt counselling advice from the charity, a fact that shows long-term support can make a lasting difference.

Adrian Curtis, Foodbank Network Director for The Trussell Trust said, 'We know that thousands of families are going hungry every year because of issues like debt - that’s why foodbanks in our network offer support beyond emergency food, signposting to local agencies to help people tackle the roots of their crisis. We know that people who visit foodbanks often have a range of complex needs and we’re delighted to now be formally linked with CAP, as well as CMA, to ensure these most vulnerable people get the invaluable support these charities can offer. This new agreement means it will be even more easy for people with debt, unemployment, or budgeting problems to find a more positive future.”

Matt Barlow, Chief Executive of CAP said, 'Every person crippled by grinding poverty deserves us to be working together to find solutions and that is why today marks a huge step forward for the most vulnerable in the UK. Many of our partner churches are already helping their communities by running a Trussell Trust foodbank alongside a CAP centre so there’s a natural crossover and makes total sense for our organisations to now be formally linked.

'We are looking forward to seeing foodbanks and CAP centres around the UK working together to provide hope and solutions to help people stay out of crisis.'