Policy and Government

We welcome the opportunity to respond to Ofgem's latest Consumer Vulnerability Strategy. Following the original 2013 document, it is good to take stock of the progress so far and identify any gaps that remain. We recognise the need for action in the five priority areas that this review has highlighted.

CAP has responded to a call for evidence to back amendments to Scotland's Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS). DAS is a statutory debt repayment plan available to help people in problem debt in Scotland. The proposed changes will put debtors' interests front and centre in the scheme, for example by introducing short-term crisis payment breaks. However, we believe a couple of changes are needed to ensure consistency with other debt solutions in the UK.

We are pleased to respond to the FCA’s Credit Information Market Study, to identify if harm is occurring in the credit information market. This market offers many benefits, however we were particularly keen to see whether there is a fairer way of displaying debt resolutions on credit reports, to favour those who repay their debts over those who go through insolvency.

CAP has joined over 45 charities calling on the Government to lift the two-child limit and help all children thrive. Families with a third of subsequent child born after 6 April 2017 are no longer entitled to Tax Credits or Universal Credit for that child - worth £2,780/year. As a result, 300,000 children will be pushed into poverty and a million pushed deeper into poverty by 2023/4. The number of children already living in poverty in the UK is unacceptable. It is not right that children should bear the brunt of this policy and we are asking the Government to look again. Find out more here.

In a society that believes in compassion and justice, it can’t be right that many people are held back by destitution and locked out of opportunities to improve their lives. This is particularly the case for a high proportion of those in financial difficulty who experience poverty so extreme that they lack basic subsistence. For example, before CAP's help, 89% went without food, 80% without heat and 9% even went without shelter. Click here to read the briefing paper in full.