Tag: Gareth Thomas

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-10-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps she is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Ben Wallace

I refer the hon Member to the answer given by my hon Friend, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Harriett Baldwin) on 2 November 2015.

Credit unions are a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and responsibility for them rests with the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-10-26.

To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church Commissioners are taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of the Church of England; and if she will make a statement.

Mrs Caroline Spelman

The Church of England’s work in support of credit unionshas been led by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Task Group on Responsible Credit and Savings, chaired by Sir Hector Sants. Nationally, the Task Group has developed a number of strategic, church-led initiatives, including matching the resources of local churches with the diverse needs of local credit unions through the Church Credit Champions Network. To date, the pilot scheme has engaged over 200 churches, trained 150 Credit Champions and is on target to bring in 3,000+ new credit union members across London, Southwark and Liverpool dioceses, with plans to roll out to 30 more dioceses from next year.

The Church of England is also running the ‘LifeSavers’ programme which is piloting a holistic financial education programme linked to savings clubs in primary schools. This was trialled successfully in Church of England primary schools during 2015 and will be rolled out to a further 120 church and community schools from early 2016, helping to raise the profile of credit unions in these communities.

Locally, dioceses and churches are involved in a wide range of activities in support of credit unions, from running mass sign-ups and marketing campaigns and recruiting volunteers to the board of credit unions to hosting access points in church building and promoting payroll saving through links with local employers. According to a Church Urban Fund survey, 17% of Anglican parishes are actively involved in supporting credit unions in various ways. This activity has generated widespread coverage in national and local media, raising public awareness of credit unions. Further information is available on our dedicated website: www.toyourcredit.org.uk

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-10-26.

To ask the Prime Minister, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of 10 Downing Street; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Cameron

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for West Worcestershire (Ms Baldwin) on 2 November 2015, UIN 13524.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-10-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for West Worcestershire (Ms Baldwin) on 2 November 2015, UIN 13524.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-10-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

David Mundell

I refer the hon Member to the answer given by my hon Friend, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Harriett Baldwin) on 2 November 2015.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-10-26.

To ask the Attorney General, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of the Law Officers’ Departments; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Wright

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to question 13524 on the 2^nd of November by my Hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-10-26.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of the Government Equalities Office; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Dinenage

I refer The Hon Member for Harrow West to the reply given by Her Majesty’s Treasury to PQ 13524 on 2 November 2015.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-10-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb

I refer The Hon Member for Harrow West to the reply given by Her Majesty’s Treasury to PQ 13524 on 2 November 2015.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-10-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson

Government believes it is essential that everyone has access to affordable, good-quality financial products and that credit unions have a role in providing this vital service.

DWP awarded a £38m contract to the Association of British Credit Unions Limited to deliver an expansion project to enable participating credit unions to modernise, expand their services and provide affordable credit to more consumers.

DWP have also publicised the work of credit unions, encouraged DWP staff to join their local credit unions, and have ensured that benefit or pension payments can be paid into any credit union account.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-10-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury on 2 November 2015 to Question 13435:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-10-26/13524/.

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