Policy and Government

CAP has responded to MAS’ consultation about building financial capability skills in the working-age population. CAP welcomes the strategic move to increase the provision of money management education, helping to build resilience and develop healthy financial habits. In particular, CAP welcomed the initiative to build money management education into the services, interventions and pathways that already exist. To read the full response, please click below. 

Our latest briefing paper highlights the issues we are seeing with public sector debt collection. Almost half (49%) of CAP clients have owed money to the DWP, HMRC or their local authority and these clients are more likely to be on a low income and vulnerable. We have found that public sector debt collection processes create fear, leave clients feeling powerless and render debts unmanageable. CAP is calling for three key principles to help change this: time, flexibility and consistency. To read more, click here.

CAP has responded to Ofgem’s consultation on its changes to the communication rulebook. CAP welcomed the opportunity presented to suppliers to change their communications, in order to increase customer engagement levels. By allowing suppliers to innovate and design communications, customers will be able to receive more personalised information, displayed in a more concise way. CAP’s main concern is that with the lack of prescription offered by Ofgem, that some customers may not receive enough communication during their customer journey. 

We have responded to the HM Treasury’s latest consultation on cash and digital payments in the new economy. In our response we highlighted the issues many of CAP’s clients would face if the economy moved closer towards digital. We emphasised the need for cash for many people on a low income, as well as the unbanked. We recommended that the Government ensure cash points are protected as bank branches close, and that people should not be penalised for using cash for any transaction. Take a look below to read more. 

CAP welcomes the creation of the Commission for customers in vulnerable circumstances and was pleased to respond to their call for evidence. CAP has gained 21 years of experience helping those in debt and poverty across the UK and understands the challenges in encouraging consumer engagement across the energy sector. In the response we highlighted the wide spectrum that vulnerability can fall within, explaining that different people are affected and deal with the same circumstances in different ways. It is also important to remember that vulnerability is not just about customers' characteristics or circumstances, but also the market in which they are expected to operate. Read the full response below.