On 19 November 2013, the APPG on Debt and Personal Finance held a joint meeting with StepChange Debt Charity to discuss the Financial Conduct Authority’s proposals for regulating the payday lending sector.
The meeting provided MPs and members of the Group the chance to question the FCA directly on its proposals and feed in to its consultation. Continue reading Seminar on FCA proposals to regulate payday loans companies
On 18 June 2013, the APPG on Debt and Personal Finance met to discuss the transfer of consumer credit regulation from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) due in April 2014. Continue reading Seminar on the future of consumer credit regulation
On 13 March 2013, the APPG on Debt and Personal Finance met to discuss the forthcoming Consumer Rights Bill.
Speakers welcomed the Bill which aims to simplify and consolidate key consumer rights covering contracts for goods, services, digital content and the law relating to unfair terms in consumer contracts. Continue reading Seminar on the Consumer Rights Bill
On 29 January the APPG on Debt and Personal Finance discussed regulation of the bailiff industry, hearing from consumer groups and trade associations.
Dr Steven Everson, from the Civil Enforcement Association, said that profit was not a “dirty word” in the sector even when the only source of income was from the debtor. Proposals from the MOJ would result in a clearer, less complicated system. Continue reading Seminar on bailiffs
On 11 July 2012 the APPG on Debt and Personal Finance hosted a breakfast seminar to launch a new report from Citizens Advice called Access to Cash – Don’t Bank on It.
Director of Policy and Advocacy at Citizens Advice, Teresa Perchard, argued that after a decade of progress, with the development of a free cash machine network and basic bank account provision, the situation was now in reverse.
On Tuesday 7 February 2012 the APPG on Debt and Personal Finance MPs hosted an evidence session to explore the regulation of high cost credit and debt management services. Members of the APPG hope to improve the regulation of the consumer credit and debt management service markets. Continue reading Evidence session on consumer detriment in the high cost credit and debt management markets
On Wednesday 12 October 2011 Consumer Affairs Minister, Ed Davey joined parliamentary members of the APPG on Debt and Personal Finance to discuss debt remedies and insolvency. At the meeting, chaired by Yvonne Fovargue MP, the members discussed the Government’s response to the Consumer Credit and Personal Insolvency Review conducted by the Department of Business Innovation and Skills and the Treasury, which was published in July. Continue reading Seminar on debt remedies and insolvency
On 28 June 2011 the APPG on Debt and Personal Finance held its annual Financial Fair and reception. The theme of this year’s event, which was sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group was Financial Inclusion and Education for Young People. The Financial Fair provided an opportunity for MPs and peers to chat to affiliate members of the group, including representatives from the banking, lending and consumer advice sectors, regarding how young people can be supported and empowered to make positive financial decisions. ABCUL, Experian, the Consumer Credit Counselling Service, PFEG, UK Payments and Citizens Advice exhibited literature highlighting their work with young people. Continue reading Financial Fair 2011
On 14 June 2011 the APPG on Debt and Personal Finance hosted a seminar entitled “Protecting Consumers – the future of consumer credit regulation.” Mark Lazarowicz MP chaired the meeting, welcoming Chris Leslie, Shadow Financial Secretary; Stephen Sklaroff, Managing Director of the Finance and Leasing Association and Peter Tutton, Social Policy Officer at Citizens Advice as speakers. Continue reading Seminar on the future of consumer credit regulation
On the 16 May 2011 members of the APPG on debt and personal finance met with Consumer Affairs Minister, Ed Davey about the need for stronger regulation of fee-charging debt management companies. Nic Dakin, the APPG’s Treasurer who requested the meeting said that all too often these companies were “not debt management companies but debt exploitation companies”.