PRESS RELEASE

New agency will tackle financial exclusion	20th September 2001
A new policy for tackling financial exclusion is being developed by Scottish Homes as it heads towards its new role as the executive agency, Communities Scotland. Communities Scotland, which replaces Scottish Homes on November 1, will have a broader community regeneration remit, rather than one focusing primarily on housing. One important area already being looked at is financial exclusion – people’s inability to gain access to financial services that are appropriate for their household. The issue of financial inclusion and the moves being made to make it a reality feature strongly in the latest edition of Housing & Finance, published by Scottish Homes. Scottish Homes Chief Executive Bob Millar said: “For the new executive agency, the challenge is to gain a better understanding of the circumstances of lower-income households in our communities, and to help ensure that effective mechanisms are put in place to empower them. “The agency is also taking extensive soundings from both financial institutions and from bodies – such as Citizens Advice Bureaux, welfare rights officers, credit unions – that are experienced in combating financial exclusion. “A partnership approach is, and must remain, the prerequisite to effective action. The new executive agency will act as a broker in a partnership that will help facilitate the delivery of this and other aspects of community regeneration.” Housing & Finance features case studies exploring credit unions and savings and loan initiatives as examples of successful schemes already available. The publication also takes a closer look at tax credits – an idea to attract private capital into under-invested communities – which is being tipped to feature in this November’s pre-budget statement. Elsewhere in the publication are articles featuring: - the progress so far on the consultation phase of the Single Regulatory Framework - the role that private – and public – funding will play in transforming north Edinburgh’s Waterfront - behind the scenes on the three local authority areas (Glasgow, Borders and Dumfries and Galloway) now approaching ballot.
Anne Graham Tel: 0131 479 5167