Cost of living pressures: what employers and self-employed people need to know

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is an arms-length body of the UK Government. We help people to make the most of their money and pensions.

We offer impartial and free information and guidance on pensions and money issues, as well as supporting the provision and funding of debt advice.

You can contact MaPS across a range of channels with any money or pension related question or issue that you may have.

We’re not here to tell you what you need to do or recommend particular products, but we will help you find your way forward through any money or pensions worries you may have, and  and, when necessary, talk though how you can access regulated financial advice and stay safe in your financial dealings. 

Our services are accessible through a range of remote channels, such as online, via free phone, webchat, TypeTalk and WhatsApp.

We also operate under consumer brand MoneyHelper, which employers can point employees in need of guidance and support towards. 

We operate under consumer brand MoneyHelper. Our service will never contact you out of the blue, recommend any product and it is illegal to impersonate MaPS, or our legacy brands Pension Wise, The Pensions Advisory Service or Money Advice Service. We know that when local areas are affected by the closure of a major business or pension scheme change people can become targets for unscrupulous practice. Our role is to offer a safe place to go with any money and pensions worries that you may have.

Our websites and those of our partners contain guides and tools that may be useful.

Our step-by-step guides include simple things you can do to manage your money during this time, if you’re employed, self-employed or worried about losing your job.

• Help if you’re struggling with bills and paymentsOpens in a new window
• Living on a squeezed incomeOpens in a new window
  
• Talk to your creditorOpens in a new window
  
• If you’re worried about rising mortgage ratesOpens in a new window  
• Using credit wiselyOpens in a new window
• Help with energy bills through the UK Government’s Help for HouseholdsOpens in a new window
  
• Wales: Get help with the cost of living Opens in a new window
• Scotland: Cost of living support ScotlandOpens in a new window
  
• Northern Ireland: Cost of living information and adviceOpens in a new window

We are the largest funder of debt advice in England. Find out where you can get free debt advice wherever you are in the UK.

• Debt advice locator tool Opens in a new window
• Money Adviser NetworkOpens in a new window  

These pensions guides help your employees to avoid rushing retirement decisions, and help keep your money safe from scams:

• Stopping or reducing your pension contributionsOpens in a new window 
• How to spot a pension scam Opens in a new window

• The Redundancy HandbookOpens in a new window (order it free as printed guide or in other accessible formats) 
• A redundancy pay calculatorOpens in a new window 
• A guide to making the most of your redundancy payOpens in a new window 
• Information on benefits and tax credits when you have lost your jobOpens in a new window 
• Information on the impact of redundancy on pensionsOpens in a new window

Government and partners we fund such as Business Debtline have published Covid-19 money guidance for businesses and self-employed people, covering topics such as business rates, furlough, grants and tax payments. 

• Business Debtline’s coronavirus guide for businesses and sole tradersOpens in a new window
  
• Government support for businessesOpens in a new window
• The Pensions Regulator Automatic enrolment and DC pension contributions guide for employersOpens in a new window
• Statutory Sick Pay: government guide for employersOpens in a new window

• Coronavirus and your moneyOpens in a new window
  
• What to do when someone diesOpens in a new window

Contact our regional partnerships team for free support and practical ways to help you build financial wellbeing across your organisation.

Based near you, our partnerships teams can help bring your organisation an understanding of some of the local financial wellbeing challenges.

If your organisation has multiple sites, please contact the regional manager closest to your head office.