Our debt work
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is the largest single funder of free debt advice in England, and plays a leading role in shaping and supporting the sector. We work closely with partners to improve outcomes for people in problem debt and to improve quality and standards across the UK.
If you need help and support with debt
If you or someone you know needs help with debt, visit MoneyHelper where you can:
- read our guides on dealing with debtOpens in a new window
- get free, confidential and independent adviceOpens in a new window on dealing with debt using our debt advice locator
What we do
Commissioning debt advice
We are currently reviewing our strategy for commissioning services. You can keep up to date with our progress by signing up to our newsletterOpens in a new window or following us on our LinkedInOpens in a new window
Sector engagement and co-ordination
We are actively building our role in shaping debt policy and collaborating with government, regulators and delivery partners.
We regularly engage with a range of stakeholders to share information and insight. Our work includes:
- improving the customer experience of people in debt
- creating efficiencies for the debt advice sector and organisations that are owed money
- co-ordinating the Debt Advice Reference Group (PDF, 389KB)
- monitoring and developing the Standard Financial Statement (SFS)Opens in a new window
- engaging with creditors.
Adviser panel
We convene a panel of expert advisers to inform our approach and enrich our insights. This panel brings together experience of customer-facing delivery and strategic overview, helping to bring our approach fully up-to-date.
UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing
The UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing is the ten-year framework which aims to help everyone make the most of their money and pensions. It sets out a goal of two million more people receiving debt advice by 2030.
We help deliver this by commissioning high quality debt advice through our funded partners in England, and by working in strategic partnerships to deliver the Better Debt Advice pillar of the strategy.
Our programmes
Breathing Space
We run the Breathing Space scheme, which provides people in problem debt with temporary legal protection from creditor action while they seek advice and begin to take control of their finances.
Money Adviser Network
The Money Adviser Network is a free sponsored partnership opportunity for organisations in the public and private sector. It’s a platform that simplifies how partners refer customers in financial difficulty to free regulated debt advice in England.
Free debt advice locator
We offer a tool to help users who are in debt and worried about meeting their repayments to access free debt advice. This service is delivered through MoneyHelper, our consumer-facing money guidance channel.
Community-based debt advice
As part of our core function to deliver and support debt advice, we are working on a CBDA grant scheme.
We currently fund the delivery of CBDA through four grants worth around £35m per year, across London, the East Midlands, Greater Merseyside and the rest of England.
You can learn more about the CBDA programme and the commercial process.
Our innovations and research
We work with the debt advice sector to design user-centred, evidence-based services. By applying behavioural science and design thinking, we develop and evaluate approaches that improve outcomes and impact.
Examples of work include:
Recently published research
A strong evidence base is vital in the decision-making process, from the best use of resources to improving service delivery. Use our debt research to help you shape your operations:
Stay up to date
You can learn about our latest work in the debt sector by:
Have a question? Here’s how you can contact us.