Three picks this week that looking at different aspects of what needs to happen to help people in/after the pandemic: The clock is ticking: government must act now to protect renters Coronavirus & the reform of Personal Insolvency in England Extraordinary Times Need Extraordinary Measures. Tweet of the week 1) @jackiebmsp amendments to Bankruptcy Application fees in Scotland … [Read more...]

If you are interested in the future of debt advice, my pick of the week is my own article: Coronavirus – how the debt advice sector should be planning. Debt Coronavirus – how the debt advice sector should be planning my article. Tesco Bank customers get credit rating warnings after taking payment holiday Times (paywall): Jayne ... was given a payment holiday at the end of March, but on … [Read more...]

Lots of articles this week on rent arrears - probably the single biggest debt problem facing the country. The looming rent arrears crisis The problem: Coronavirus: Private renters need more help to 'ride out crisis' BBC: Almost half a million people are at "high risk" of homelessness, according to 187 local councils across England. The government proposal: Optimism of the … [Read more...]

My pick of last week's news is the Citizens Advice report "Near the cliff-edge". Tweet of the week 1/n. Are we heading for a cliff edge as govt support comes to an end? Our data is starting to suggest there'll need to be further bold policy measures to avoid this - particularly as the way out now seems gradual. #Covid19 THREAD--> — James Plunkett (@jamestplunkett) May 2, … [Read more...]

All coronavirus-related this week. Tweet of the week It's official. This is far and away the biggest increase in claims to benefit in at least forty years, and likely a lifetime. See below. This is a 412% increase month on month, >5 times higher than previous record (June 1994). First time we've had official data to chart this. 1/ pic.twitter.com/qS9fTY2Y9i — Tony Wilson … [Read more...]

Lots more news from the FCA this week. Coronavirus regulatory news You can sign up to the FCA's list to receive new daily email updates for coronavirus (Covid-19) news and publications published on their website. Motor finance agreements and coronavirus: draft temporary guidance for firms  FCA: 3 month payment break, interest continues to accrue, broadly same as unsecured loans but with … [Read more...]

My pick of the news is the FCA's temporary relief proposals. Looking to the future, Crystal balls vs rear-view mirrors is an interesting read. Tweet of the week The strongest minute of current affairs TV since #Corona19 started. Well done @maitlis and all at #Newsnight pic.twitter.com/SJaqAvFpF0 — Gareth Noble (@GarNob) April 8, 2020 Debt news FCA confirms temporary financial … [Read more...]

My pick of last week's news is BrightHouse going under. If you haven't read them, And so the appalling human consequences of the austerity experiment become clear and What debt advice tells us about supporting people affected by coronavirus are both very good. Hopefully, some actions from the FCA summons council of war (behind paywall, sorry) will turn out to be the pick of next week's … [Read more...]

All articles are Coronavirus-related this week. My pick of them is The UK’s self-employed are falling through the Covid-19 policy net. Tweet of the week “[Universal Credit] advances should be grants, not loans” People eligible for Universal Credit benefits can be given a cash advance, as a loan, within a day of applying. Richard Lane of debt advice charity @StepChange says the … [Read more...]