In recent weeks, Ministers have set out new measures to help people struggling with the cost of living – including free bus travel for children and targeted reductions in food tariffs. But the Financial Services and Markets Bill that has recently been laid before Parliament points in a very different, and concerning, direction. Clause 8 of the Bill would upend vital protections for borrowers, and we call for it to be scrapped.

Following his recent appointment to the Credit Information Governance Body (CIGB) Consumer Council, CfRC's Chief Executive, Damon Gibbons, reflects on why increasingly data‑driven credit decisions remain opaque — and why stronger accountability is now essential if affordability is to protect consumers in practice.

Could credit play a role in helping low-to-middle income drivers transition to electric vehicles? CfRC Researcher, Dr. Ana Rita Pena looks at the challenges involved.

Next week’s Budget will take place in the context of an urgent need to boost economic growth. If we are serious about this, we need to tackle household debt and restore the safety net.

New CfRC research indicates that some lower-income borrowers are highly sensitive to their credit scores, and this could be negatively impacting their financial behaviours: causing them to prioritise credit repayments over the payment of household bills and other essentials. People in financial difficulty may also be receiving inappropriate messages that encourage them to take on more credit than they can afford.

CfRC is urging MPs to vote against proposed cuts to health and disability benefits today. Even following recent concessions, the cuts will contribute to worsening health and place greater pressure on the NHS and local authorities.

Calls for deregulation are ignoring the lessons of the past. In this blog we draw on our recent response to the FCA and FOS joint call for input concerning 'mass redress' events to highlight how a lack of clear rules and (de)regulatory 'sludge' combine to cause widespread consumer harm. We need better regulation not deregulation to support 'growth without consumer exploitation'.

Following the Chancellor's Mansion House speech there have been calls for the FCA to review its creditworthiness and affordability rules. In this blog, we argue these regulations are not the reason why fewer low income households have been able to access credit in recent years. Those calling for a watering down of consumer protections are ignoring the wider context of the cost-of-living crisis which has made consumer credit less affordable.