Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing public access to free, impartial financial guidance on (a) financial wellbeing and (b) household financial resilience.

The government recognises the importance of supporting people of all ages to develop the financial skills needed to manage their money effectively, and has taken steps to improve the provision of accessible financial guidance.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is an arm’s length body of Government which supports consumers with free, impartial financial guidance for every stage of their financial lives. Its MoneyHelper services – available online, via webchat and over the phone - offers information on a wide range of financial topics, along with easy-to-use tools and calculators to support people in managing their finances.

MaPS also runs the Money Guiders programme, which is designed to equip frontline staff – such as nurses, social workers, job coaches and community volunteers – with the skills and confidence to have effective conversations about money with the people they support. As set out in the Financial Inclusion Strategy, published on 5^th November 2025, MaPS will expand and enhance Money Guiders to deliver quality financial guidance across the UK.

To date, Money Guiders has engaged over 18,000 practitioners and partnered with nearly 300 organisations. Evidence suggests that the programme has a positive impact on practitioner knowledge and understanding relating to money guidance, and their confidence delivering it, making it easier for people to access financial guidance when they need it. MaPS continues to evaluate the reach and impact of its guidance services.