WADA responds to MaPS consultation

We Are Debt Advisers (WADA) and the Centre for Responsible Credit have submitted a joint response to the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) Consultation concerning proposals for the future delivery of debt advice.

We have several concerns, including with the scope of the consultation which did not seek views about the adequacy of funding or MaPS’ statutory remit. The consultation document also failed to provide sufficient detail about the potential costs of the options presented and the likely impact that pursuing these would have on funding for front-line services. In view of this, our response to the proposals has had to be prefaced with the caveat that no proposal should go forward if it impacts negatively on the capacity of front-line services to deliver to those in most need of advice.

There is a lack of information available concerning the wider landscape of debt advice provision beyond MaPS funded services, but we know that services are currently under immense pressure and that the need for debt advice far outstrips supply.

We therefore call on MaPS to conduct further work to assess the gap between demand and supply, and to use the responses from the current consultation to develop a detailed and costed plan for debt advice for further consultation. This must be done urgently to address the current insecurity and instability many workers are experiencing.

In the interim, we responded to the proposals with the objective of representing the views of the debt advisers in our network. The overarching view is that community-based services are particularly under-resourced to meet demand and that this is having a negative impact both for clients and the wellbeing of advisers. These services need more funding for extra advisers. Whilst, in principle, investment in technology would be welcome to simplify the debt advice process we need to have more details about the level of investment being proposed, the outcomes it is expected to deliver, and what the impact on funding for the front-line would be.

Why should debt advisers add their names to our document?

WADA is a network run by and for debt advice workers. We aim to bring their voices into policymaking, so that all debt advice staff and volunteers from all types of organisations and agencies can have their say on important matters that affect us. Advisers should stand in solidarity when unwelcome changes are proposed for any part of the sector. We do this to protect debt and money advice as a whole.

MaPS’ contracts directly affect many advisers and impact the wider sector. All debt advice staff should be concerned when MaPS funding is cut or withdrawn. Many agencies use this funding to support other debt projects or even to support core parts of services such as office space. MaPS standards are also often used as a benchmark for non-MaPS projects. We therefore invite all advisers to add their signature to our document, and we have provided a space for you to make any additional comments when you do this. These will be forwarded to MaPS. Many thanks in advance for your support.