Policy and Government

Today we launched the first paper in our Checking in series exploring the experiences of CAP clients who are early Universal Credit claimants. Each year CAP helps 20,000 people in the grip of debt and poverty. 82% of whom will transition onto Universal Credit in the next few years. These are people living on low incomes, with a high incidence of mental and physical health problems and other difficulties that mean their financial worries are just the tip of the iceberg. Download this briefing paper to read their experiences of applying and waiting for Universal Credit. This is the first paper in a series of three presenting the experiences of CAP clients who are early Universal Credit claimants. The next instalments, due in January and February 2019, will explore how debt and Universal Credit interact and what it is like to live and work while receiving Universal Credit.

CAP has responded to the Utility Regulator’s consultation on their Consumer Protection Strategy (CPS) review and proposed a new Consumer Protection Programme (CPP). We are pleased to be able to feed our views into the new CPP, helping utilities companies in Northern Ireland to bring about better outcomes for their vulnerable customers. To read our full response, please click below.

Universal Credit has been in the spotlight for much of the past few years, and the 2018 Budget at the end of October saw no change. Today CAP has released a policy note to take stock of where we are and precede a series of briefing papers sharing insights into the areas in which claimants continue to be caused hardship. We welcomed the changes seen in the Budget, including the increase of the work allowance and the reduction in maximum debt repayments, but with the resignation of Esther McVey, we need the next Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to keep the momentum going. To read more, please click below.

Last week we took part in Talk Money Week, designed to place emphasis on talking about money. This is part of the Money Advice Service (MAS) Financial Capability Strategy for the UK. We attended the joint MAS and Money Advice Liaison Group (MALG) conference and have been promoting our CAP Money and CAP Life Skills courses across the country. Check out our blog here, looking at why it's good to #TalkMoney.

CAP broadly supports Ofgem's design and methodology proposed for the default tariff cap, but although it will offer universal price protection to all, many will not see a material benefit. This is especially true of those consumers who use little energy because they cannot afford it, who will see little to no reduction in their bills. 42% of CAP clients cannot afford to sufficiently heat their homes and as a result we feel that a price cap is not the right vehicle to address this deeper affordability issue. Consideration and a deeper intervention is needed for those on low incomes who struggle to afford their energy bills. To read our full response, click below.