Download Financial inclusion initiatives

Financial inclusion project - initiatives
Affordable credit
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The roll out of Credit Union branches in the Council's One Stop Centre and
Housing cash offices
Expansion of the development of credit union schools saving clubs
Launch of an enterprise loan scheme run by the credit union to provide
finance to small businesses who would not normally be able to raise funds for
expansion (funded through LEGI)
The launch of the Leeds Loan Shark project in conjunction with Birmingham
City Council and West Yorkshire Trading Standards
Launch of the credit union 'Handiloan' affordable loan scheme
Launch of a new Community Development Finance Institution
Debt/money advice
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Development of the Leeds Money Advice Project (MAP) partnership which
unified all the city's five debt advice providers and resulted in a successful
joint bid to the DTI (now BIS) for additional face to face debt advice funding.
Developing a project to provide basic financial management and debt
counselling training to staff working in the Council's customer service points
and other front line staff
Offering families advice services via the Council's Children's Centres which
provide integrated childcare and education for early years children.
Development of debt and financial advice packages by Leeds Housing Arms
Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) and housing associations, to
assist tenants with their debt and money problems.
Provided an extensive communications network between all partners involved
in debt money advice support to enable easier access to debt counselling
appointments for clients.
Advice Leeds is a partnership of independent advice providers in Leeds
The five Leeds debt advice agencies have been working closely together since
2004 and now the Advice Leeds Partnership has been formed which brings
together all partners in the city who have any involvement in delivering advice
services. This involves public, voluntary and private sector organisations. The
Council’s Corporate Debt Policy also provides a fully integrated mechanism for
helping citizens who have significant debts to the Council. The partnership is
working together to:
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Improve access to free and independent advice in Leeds
Their focus is on providing advice in social welfare law to local people in the
most need.
The main areas of advice are Welfare Benefits, Debt, Employment, Housing,
Immigration and Community Care. Access to free, independent and quality
advice provides an important lifeline for many people who are experiencing
the effects of poverty and social injustice.
Financial literacy
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Co-development of financial literacy packages for young children by the
Council's library service and Yorkshire Bank.
Development by Children’s Services (Cities education administration provider)
of financial literacy packages for school age children.
Working with the Money Advice Service to deliver financial capability training
for all council staff.
Cross initiative/strategic
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Key Improvement Priority in the Leeds Strategic Plan (successor to the Local
Area Agreement)
New approach to developing a Council Corporate Debt Policy involving key
partners who have direct experience in dealing with debt problems. The Policy
can be downloaded as a PDF from this page
Commissioned research to determine the economic and regeneration impacts
of financial inclusion initiatives.
Commissioned a repeat of the 2004 research – see separate page
Joined with seven other European partner cities developing joint approaches
to social exclusion issues. Leeds showcasing the financial inclusion project.
Work with the Loan Shark Team
The Loan Shark Team work closely with the Financial Inclusion Partnership in Leeds
and links have been established with a wide number of organisations working in
communities at risk of Loan Shark activity. One of the main problems faced by the
team is a reluctance of residents to report loan shark activity. The provision of
publicity material and delivery of presentations to staff, volunteers, young parents,
tenants and residents is an important part of the awareness work to try to overcome
this reluctance. Joint work with housing providers has been helpful to getting the
message across to Leeds residents.
A 24 hour dedicated, confidential hotline for consumers is available to report loan
sharks (0300 555 2222). It investigates complaints about illegal money lending and
takes enforcement action where there is sufficient evidence.