Christians Against Poverty (CAP) and Community Money Advice (CMA) are uniting as a group to form the UK’s largest specialist community-based debt advice charity.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) and Community Money Advice (CMA) today announced that they are uniting as a group to form the UK’s largest specialist community-based debt advice charity. The combined organisation, which will maintain both the CAP and CMA identities, is now poised to offer free, regulated and compassionate debt advice through an expansive network of 380 dedicated centres hosted in local churches and community organisations across the entire UK.
This landmark moment, announced following Debt Awareness Week, arrives in the midst of unprecedented financial hardship nationwide. By uniting and consolidating their services alongside each other, the two charities aim to create a comprehensive support system to help those struggling in poverty across the UK, providing continued services to those experiencing debt and poverty at a time when it is urgently needed. Government data shows that around 8 million adults in the UK are currently trapped in crisis levels of debt, with a significant portion, up to a third, actively seeking face-to-face, community-based debt advice to find freedom from both their financial problems and the profound emotional distress they face.
UK poverty has deepened in recent years, affecting increasing numbers of children and employed adults. The incomes of the lowest 20% of earners have flatlined, while the essential costs for food, warmth, shelter, and clothing have escalated sharply. This unjust imbalance is forcing millions to face impossible options such as heating their homes or eating, while undermining their financial resilience. As a result, multitudes are falling into a downward spiral to financial crisis. At the same time, both charities are seeing a rise in chronic physical and mental illness among those they serve. CAP and CMA believe that, by working together, they can better support the most vulnerable people who are currently facing deeper levels of hardship than either have seen in their histories.
Consumer specialist Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, commented, “Christians Against Poverty has long been a force for good in debt counselling – I get great feedback from people who’ve used it. It tends to spend far longer with its clients than many other similar agencies, enabling it to help with the emotional fallout as well as the financial practicalities. I hope the scale and community reach of this combined charity will be a lifeline for many more people struggling with debt.”
David Nussbaum, Chair of CAP highlighted the vision behind the move: “Coming alongside CMA allows us to ensure continued access to the expert help people need. We can now reach thousands more people trapped in deep financial crises, extreme anxiety, and isolation that leaves them feeling crushed. This partnership is a big boost for hope and practical assistance.”
The combined charity group maintains a strong commitment to working in partnership with local churches, with CMA’s additional support for a number of community organisations also continuing. This collaborative model is structured to empower local partners to deliver comprehensive face-to-face financial help through three core models of support:
- Financial education: Equipping partners to provide people with the skills to manage their money effectively and to optimise their income.
- Expert debt advice: Providing regulated, in-depth advice through partners supported by expert debt advice hubs.
- Charity support: Supporting partners who are regulated debt advice charities in their own right.
Julian Mander, Chair of CMA, reflected on the strength of the union: “In coming together, we will enhance all of the support models we currently offer to our partner churches and community organisations. The shared expertise and resources will ensure our local partners are better equipped than ever to meet the complex needs of their communities.”
Stewart McCulloch, CEO of CAP, who will become CAP Group Chief Executive to lead the newly combined group, shared his vision for the future: “Together we have a powerful and united front against debt. We now have over a thousand highly trained debt advisors, mentors and coaches based in communities across the UK, dedicated to bringing hope where there was fear, support where there was isolation and the warmth of community into cold homes. We are also supported by a similar number of amazing people delivering money coaching, life skills, and job clubs.”
He concluded, “Over the last 30 years, over a quarter of a million people have already benefited from our work. Our unified vision is clear: that anyone in financial crisis and emotional distress will be able to get the support they need in their community, ensuring no one has to face the devastating impact of debt alone.”
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- Money and Pensions Service, MoneyView 2025
- Money and Pensions Service, Debt Needs Survey 2023
- Department for Work and Pensions
- Department for Work and Pensions
