WADA has today (29th November') published a new briefing concerning the ‘state of debt advice’. The briefing follows consultation with advisers from around the country last month and sets out their priorities for the forthcoming Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) consultation on its new debt advice commissioning strategy (expected early next year). Chief amongst these are concerns about a chronic lack of capacity, the need to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, and develop a five year workforce strategy to address low morale and recruitment and retention problems.

Earlier this year, the Money and Pensions Service reduced the targets for community debt advice agencies by nearly one third. They said it was in recognition of growing case complexity. But the reality is that the targets for debt advice are at the same level as four years ago, despite demand rocketing. MaPS has shattered provision, as the cost-of-living crisis is deepening.