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Background An estimated three million people in the UK rely on high-cost credit such as pay day loans, rent-to-own products and catalogues, making them vulnerable to financial shocks and over-indebtedness, associated with poorer physical and mental health outcomes. As part of its financial inclusion approach, Derbyshire County Council has worked to increase the use of ethical, community based Credit Unions for residents unable to access mainstream lending and to prevent the harms of high cost lending. The Affordable Credit Project (ACP) takes both a population level and individual level approach to promoting Credit Union membership, working in partnership with local Credit Unions and partnering with the England Illegal Money Lending Team.Methods A mixed methods evaluation of the ACP was carried out in 2024, consisting of pre- and post- comparison of Credit Union membership data and geographical mapping. Qualitative evaluation included semi-structured interviews with residents referred from the Council’s local welfare assistance fund to the ACP (n=8) and reflective conversations with Credit Unions (n=4) and other stakeholders (n=2).Results As of June 2024, there were 12,192 Credit Unions members in Derbyshire (excluding Derby). This is an increase of 1,940 members compared to the project’s baseline, an overall increase of 18.9%, compared to a national increase of 12.6%. Credit Unions in Derbyshire showed different levels of change in membership numbers ranging from 5% to 35.8%. Higher Credit Union membership was associated with Lower Super Output Areas in the 30% most deprived areas of England.The qualitative research found that residents were often in desperate situations and valued the offer of other sources of help, that was presented in an empathetic and non-judgemental manner. Overall awareness of affordable credit was low, even amongst those who had accessed the project. The evaluation highlighted the need for the ACP to be adapted to individual circumstances, taking into account the time-critical nature of some applications, and the need to not provide too many options as to be overwhelming.Conclusion The ACP is a novel intervention carried out by a local authority. Evaluating the outcome of such interventions is difficult, as partner organisations lack capacity regarding data collection, and recipients of interventions are often difficult to engage. However, promoting alternatives to high-cost lenders has the potential to protect residents from financial harm and further negative impacts on health and wellbeing and there are opportunities for future work and research in this area.