Experian supports leading debt charity

06-Apr-2010

The Centre for Welfare Benefits, part of the Consumer Credit Counselling Service, recently celebrated a milestone in providing confidential and impartial debt advice

The Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke, Conservative MP for Rushcliffe in Nottingham, and former Chancellor of the Exchequer recently visited the Centre for Welfare Benefits in Nottingham to mark the Centre reaching receipt of a landmark 15,000 calls.

Supporting the visit were James Jones from Experian and representatives from Capital One and the Consumer Credit Trade Association, along with Malcolm Hurlston, Chair of the Charity and of Registry Trust Ltd.

The Centre in Nottingham, located within the regional offices of the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) on Castle Gate, is one of the UK’s leading money advice and debt management charities. The CCCS provides free, confidential advice and support to help hundreds of thousands of people and families each year sort out their money worries and make a start towards a more secure financial future.

CCCS was based on a movement that began in the US in the 1950s and was introduced into the UK in the early 90s in response to growing concerns about consumer debt. The first pilot, in Leeds, was successful thanks in part to support from Experian. Later, Experian also provided a grant to help CCCS set up its regional office in Rodney House, Nottingham. 

Consumers who seek debt advice from CCCS are referred to the Centre for Welfare Benefits if a likely gap in their entitlements is identified. In 2009 there were 7,539 referrals to the Centre, just over four percent of all debt clients counselled by the Charity. Since the Centre opened in September 2007 it has received 15,522 calls.

James Jones commented: "Experian is a long-standing supporter of CCCS, which continues to provide a vital lifeline for many thousands of consumers each year. Through our work with CCCS, and other debt advice charities such as the Money Advice Trust and Citizens Advice, Experian helps ensure that consumers for whom debt has become problematic have access to free, confidential and impartial help."

Discussions are also underway for Experian to carry out some profiling of CCCS clients to help inform their future development and expansion plans.

Click here to read more about Experian Public Sector's work in comsumer affairs, advice and education.