Policy and Government

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the Government has acted quickly to shore up the support available to anchor people financially in tough times. People already locked in poverty face the starkest challenges. We need to all pull together and ensure no one is forgotten. We are calling on the government to act now to help people in poverty keep their heads above water during the pandemic.

Read our full policy statement here.

CAP is pleased to respond to the FCA's latest proposed package of measures for motor finance and high-cost credit agreements. In particular CAP welcomes the speed and increased span of these measures, helping to build in safeguards for people with motor finance and high-cost credit agreements. However, we wanted to see more provision for people with high-cost short-term credit loans, as the one month interest freeze is not a sufficient period to help all customers regain control of their finances. CAP also called for more clarity for what firms are expected to do once these protective measures have ended, in three month's time. To read CAP's full response, please click below. 

CAP has submitted a response to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) inquiry about the response to coronavirus. With large numbers of new Universal Credit claims, this inquiry could not be more timely. The Government has acted quickly to strengthen the support available through the social security system. It is especially welcome that the Government has announced a much-needed £20 per week boost for Universal Credit and Tax Credits claimants. Yet, a further 2.83 million people in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA) have received no extra help. In some cases, the benefit of the Universal Credit and Tax Credits boost will be offset by other welfare policies, such as the benefit cap and Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates. More is needed to ensure that the added generosity of the managed migration is matched for the increasing numbers entering through natural migration. To read CAP's recommendations, please click below. 

CAP has responded to the Work and Pensions Select Committee call for evidence on the wait for a first Universal Credit payment. Universal Credit is undoubtedly the single biggest welfare reform since the welfare state was introduced. Adapting to a new system, which is digital-by-default and involves the managing of rent payments and a single monthly payment, has been challenging for many. Advance payments are a lifeline that many people are too afraid to use. There is no one simple solution. Instead, we need a range of reforms that will make Universal Credit work for the variety of circumstances that people making a claim find themselves in. Backdating is needed, as well as non-repayable Advances for claimants with deficit budgets. To read more, click below. 

CAP has responded to Ofgem's consultation on Protecting energy customers on prepayment meters (PPM) about the current prepayment meter price cap, which is due to end in winter 2020. CAP is happy that Ofgem is reviewing the cap, but we do not think that it should be merged with the default tariff as planned. Our response has highlighted the challenges faced by CAP clients on low incomes, and how these plans do not offer enough protection. We are particularly concerned about the lack of protection given to customers who continue to accrue standing charges on their PPMs, and have asked Ofgem to consider capping the amount of arrears that can be built up from these.