A new group of top-level executives from the worlds of finance, consumer rights, research and technology is being convened to ensure the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) delivers on its mission of everyone making the most of their money and pensions, and so that the UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing is as successful as possible…
Latest figures from UK Finance show 1.82 million mortgage payment holidays have been issued as of 20th May 2020 – equivalent to one in six mortgages issued by lenders. UK Finance says Lenders have welcome the FCA’s draft guidance consultation published today, and the PRA’s related publication, on the next steps for those borrowers already on…
Citizens Advice has urged the government to extend its measures to protect private renters from evictions before proceedings expire. The charity says that the Government has just one month to act before existing measures end. Citizens Advice is warning this presents a ‘cliff edge’ that will pitch some renters into long-term debt or homelessness. The…
One in ten families has asked family and friends for money to pay household bills according to new research by comparethemarket.com. The findings were part of the comparison specialist’s Household Financial Confidence Tracker, The company also says that the Government’s decision to start easing the nationwide lockdown has led to a pronounced drop in confidence…
Homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage due to Coronavirus will be able to extend their mortgage payment holiday for a further three months, or start making reduced payments, in proposals published by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA has published new draft guidance today for lenders which will set out the expectations for firms…
The UK’s three largest debt charities have called on the Government to change ‘ineffective’ regulations on how councils collect council tax arrears to protect households who have fallen behind due to the coronavirus pandemic. Citizens Advice, the Money Advice Trust and StepChange Debt Charity fear that with council tax enforcement measures likely to restart soon,…
Mortgage breaks taken by 1.6 million homeowners could cost them at least £821 million in extra interest according to new analysis. Research by mortgage broker L&C Mortgages has shown that the mortgage breaks taken by 1.6 million homeowners due to the COVID-19 pandemic could cost them at least £821 million in extra interest. Figures calculated…
Cifas and The Vulnerability Registration Service (VRS) have entered into a collaborative agreement that will offer protection to vulnerable individuals through the VRS national vulnerability database later this year. With effect from 1st August 2020, Cifas will no longer be providing the Protecting the Vulnerable scheme. The Protecting the Vulnerable scheme is a shared register…
A survey of customers by debt advice provider Financial Wellness Group has revealed how lockdown has impacted the finances of those already on a debt solution. Almost two-thirds of respondents (64%) had experienced a drop in household income since the lockdown started. The study shows the vital importance of the Government Job Retention Scheme: 38%…
IHS Markit’s UK household finance index has shown that overall perceptions of financial wellbeing in UK households recorded a score of 37.8 in May, representing a slight increase from the previous month’s eight-and-a-half-year low of 34.9. While the headline number did rise, it remained among the worst seen since the survey’s inception in 2009 and…