Policy and Government

CAP responded to the Social Justice and Social Security Committee's call for written responses on the challenges faced by people with low incomes and problem debt. Support for individuals in problem debt should be holistic and person-centred, with tailored advice to meet individuals’ particular needs. In our response, we have stressed that all households, particularly those on the lowest incomes, should have access to sufficient income via a cash-first approach to ensure that debt is not a consequence of being unable to meet everyday needs. This will help to create accessible, people-centred, and fair solutions to problem debt in Scotland. Read our full response below.

CAP has signed an open letter urging the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Nadine Dorries MP to suspend TV licensing prosecutions, pending the outcome of the BBC’s Gender Disparity Review. Written by charity and law practice Appeal, the letter urges the UK Government to pay better regard to low income and vulnerable people who are being prosecuted for the non-payment of the fee. CAP supports measures towards fair treatment of low income and vulnerable consumers, and looks forward to hearing the response from Nadine Dorries MP. Read the full letter below.

CAP responded to the UK Government’s consultation on regulation reform in the insolvency sector. Currently, Insolvency Practitioners are regulated as individuals by four recognised professional bodies, with no specific regulation for the firms that employ them. CAP supports the proposal for the Government to take on the role as a single regulator, extending the scope of regulation to include firms providing insolvency services. CAP would like the single regulator to investigate all complaints to improve consistency in outcomes and to adopt principles from the Financial Conduct Authority’s principles on consumer duty and rules for debt advice. Read our full response below.

On Wednesday 23 March, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the UK Government’s Spring Statement, revealing the details of highly anticipated plans to support struggling households amid the cost of living crisis. In his statement the Chancellor said that he would like to support households with the rising cost of living. CAP were disappointed, however, to see the Government announce very little to help the most vulnerable and to ensure long-term financial security for those on the lowest incomes.

Read CAP’s full response here or listen to CAP’s Director of External Affairs, Gareth McNab on the BBC Newscast podcast here. 

CAP responded to the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on Poverty's call for written evidence on the impact of poverty-related stigma in Scotland. Poverty-related stigma is prevalent for people living on low incomes with many people being pushed into problem debt due to insufficient income. Problem debt has a particular stigma and shame attached to it that leaves people feeling trapped, isolated, unable to sleep at night and considering suicide. We believe that it is essential that people are treated with dignity, fairness and respect, at all levels and in all interactions, and that we all have a responsibility to change the narrative around poverty in Scotland. Read our full response below.