Oral Answers to Questions

Jesse Norman Excerpts
Monday 24th October 2011

(13 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman (Hereford and South Herefordshire) (Con)
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6. What steps his Department is taking to support access to lending from credit unions.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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10. What steps his Department is taking to support access to lending from credit unions.

Steve Webb Portrait The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Steve Webb)
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Since 2006, the Department has spent more than £100 million through its growth fund to encourage credit unions. In addition, since March this year, a further £11.8 million has been invested. The Department is now conducting a study into how best we can support credit unions and will report shortly.

Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman
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Only 2% of people in this country are members of credit unions such as the excellent Money Box in my constituency, compared with 44% of people in the United States. What role can Jobcentre Plus play in helping credit unions to reach more people?

Steve Webb Portrait Steve Webb
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I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for his involvement with the all-party group on credit unions and his commitment to the cause. Jobcentre Plus is keen to work closely with credit unions, and we are currently piloting a scheme in Manchester and Newcastle in which jobcentres share office space to see whether they can assist credit unions at a local level.