Credit Union Services Should Be Offered Through Post Office Network

Credit union services should be expanded by offering them through the UK’s Post Office network, a new report from Consumer Focus argues.  The  research shows a third of consumers would be interested in joining a credit union, but two-thirds of these say they cannot because they do not think there is one nearby.  The 'Credit where credit’s due' report argues that offering credit union services through the Post Office would significantly increase their potential to provide a long-term alternative to High Street banks, especially for people on low incomes.  This could help plug a credit gap for low income consumers who turn to high interest, short-term loans, such as payday loans, as they can’t access affordable credit through banks.  It could also provide low income consumers who do not always trust High Street banks, with transactional accounts offered through a trusted provider. This would allow many to benefit from cheaper goods and services only available online or by direct debit.  Download a copy of the report from the Consumer Focus website.

Charter Calls For Scandal Of Fuel Poverty To End

A major coalition of anti-poverty, energy, environmental and health campaigning organisations are launching a charter of measures to eradicate the scandal of fuel poverty. The campaigners are calling for the UK Government and political parties to commit to making all fuel poor homes as energy efficient as a home built today. The coalition is warning that although the Government has taken some welcome steps, its target to end fuel poverty in England by 2016 will be impossible to meet under its current strategy. The organisations are highlighting that fuel poverty levels could in fact continue to rise to a record high. Expensive energy prices have led to extremely high fuel poverty levels. An estimated 6.6 million UK households are struggling to afford to heat and power their homes. Many are resorting to cutting back on heating or other essentials in order to make ends meet, which could put their health at risk. The coalition is calling on the Government to live up to its promise to end fuel poverty, by radically overhauling its fuel poverty strategy. Find details of the charter on the Consumer Focus website.