Support

In October 2008, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) launched its £12million financial inclusion champions initiative to help tackle financial exclusion.
 
The initiative builds on the existing ‘now lets talk money’ campaign, and works with local authorities, social landlords and other key partners to make sure people have access to basic financial services, including home contents insurance.  

Champions will aim to:
 
Build the role of local authorities and Local Strategic Partnerships in financial inclusion.  
       
Help develop relevant action plans identifying the most significant issues with the greatest potential for improvement.

Help develop local networks of financial inclusion intermediaries through events and regular stakeholder engagement.

Where new third sector lending, savings and banking provision is required, work with local stakeholders and partners (including the banks) to establish steering groups and develop credible proposals for establishing new provision.

Work with housing associations and social landlords in particular geographical areas to increase the supply and take-up of appropriate home contents insurance schemes.
 
Champions teams will be regionally based: 

Cumbria, East & South Midlands, East Yorkshire, London, Manchester, Bristol, Merseyside, North East, Scotland, South Yorkshire, Southampton/Portsmouth,   Wales, West Midlands, West Yorkshire  

Additionally, sectoral Champions have been appointed for Housing and the Rural Community.   

Tenant Engagement Groups  

Alongside the Financial Inclusion Champions initiative, DWP is piloting 12-month ‘tenant engagement initiatives’ in North East and North West England.  Working directly with new and changing tenants, as well as tenant and community groups, Tenant Engagement Teams will discuss financial inclusion issues including insurance, affordable credit, savings and banking.