Consultation on MaPS proposals for the delivery of its debt advice strategy

The closing date for responses to this consultation is 3rd April 2024.

In 2021/22 MaPS undertook a major commissioning exercise for debt advice. Following this exercise MaPS committed to carrying out a public consultation to help shape our future strategic approach to debt advice and help us understand the best ways to commission national and locally based services over the longer-term. 

We set out an intention to undertake a three-stage approach: 

• a phase of evidence gathering, analysis and planning 
• a consultation – where we formally invite people to respond on our proposals 
• a process of engagement with the market leading into subsequent commercial activity 

Though the initial focus following the consultation will be on the provision of community-based services, we don’t believe it is possible to consider and consult on these services alone. This is because the decisions MaPS must make about how to invest the budget we receive for debt advice cannot be considered in isolation.

Similarly, the role MaPS plays as a commissioner cannot be considered without also looking at the other roles MaPS could take within the debt sector – to be an effective commissioner for now and for the future we need to understand the challenges facing debt advice providers and the clients they are supporting.

The consultation sets out the Money and Pension Service’s  approach to debt advice up to 2028. It explores how we interpret our remit in relation to debt advice and the role that we could take in working with the wider debt sector on some of the key issues and challenges identified.

We are seeking feedback and views on the proposals and potential areas of future focus set out within the document. We are also keen to understand alternative or complimentary proposals and ideas on the role that MaPS could take.

This consultation is focused on the role that MaPS could play within the sector (prioritising activities according to the budget MaPS receives) to deliver on our statutory remit. The consultation does not set out or seek views on: 

• the appropriateness of MaPS’s statutory remit 
• the MaPS standards and the quality assurance framework for our funded services 
• what the overall level of debt advice capacity should be 
• how much funding should be available for debt advice (through MaPS or other sources) 
• what the sources of funding for debt advice should be.

MaPS invites organisations and individuals involved in delivering debt advice, organisations that support debt advice, organisations that refer their clients and customers into debt advice, organisations that fund debt advice and other interested stakeholders to give their views on the proposals set out within the consultation document below.

In addition to receiving written feedback, there will be events taking place between January and April 2024 to explore ideas in more depth and share feedback through these events. More information on these events will be released in due course. 

The closing date for responses to this consultation is 3rd April 2024.

Responses should be submitted using the MaPS Debt Consultation 2024 response formOpens in a new window.

Where use of this form would otherwise prevent a response from being submitted, please complete your response in the body of an email or letter, responding to all mandatory questions and making clear which question you are answering for all parts of your response. 

Such responses can be returned by either: 

• Email to [email protected]Opens in a new window. Please use the subject header Debt consultation 2024 response for email returns. 
• Post to the following address: Money and Pensions Service, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP

We are also keen to hear from respondents where you have, or are aware of, insight which either corroborates or contradicts the proposals set out in this consultation. Please share any such evidence, with clear and specific reference to the relevant element(s) and to the question(s) to which it relates, with us using the mailbox: [email protected]Opens in a new window