mariacbooker.bsky.social
@mariacbooker.bsky.social
Reposted
Great to see the ESNZ Committee calling out the energy market for entrenching the poverty premium. The report supports our calls to get rid of the premium for paying on receipt of bill, and for an energy social tariff.
October 29, 2025 at 2:57 PM
It was a privilege to attend the launch of the Poverty Strategy Commission’s framework for tackling poverty this morning, having been involved in the advisory group. Thinking about what we at @fairbydesign.bsky.social can do to help make the suggested social contract a reality 🤔
September 8, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Reposted
Our Head of Policy @mariacbooker.bsky.social on today’s new report into targeted energy bill support ⬇️
August 27, 2025 at 4:14 PM
How can inclusive design become business as normal within Government, regulators, & firms? If you are interested in this topic- we would love to hear from you! @fairforyoucic.bsky.social
www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-do...
How do we promote inclusive design at every level in financial services?
The Government is expected to publish its Financial Inclusion Strategy later this year. It is essential that this is shaped by people experiencing financial exclusion using the principles of inclusive...
www.linkedin.com
July 24, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Reposted
Today The FCA has published new analysis on the motor insurance market which shows many of the factors that have increased the cost of car insurance are outside of consumers’ control.

Here is the response of our Director, Rebecca Deegan.
July 22, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Fantastic paper on how we can tackle the poverty premium in motor insurance from our Director Rebecca Deegan...
As part of our response to the Financial Conduct Authority's new analysis on motor insurance we are launching a new position paper 'Driving Change: Policy Ideas to Tackle the Car Insurance Poverty Premium’.

Full report 🔗 fairbydesign.com/wp-content/u...
July 23, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Reposted
New Financial Services Growth & Competitiveness Strategy reiterates Treasury's intention to review regulators' 'have regards'.

We call on Treasury to maintain the FCA's 'have regard' to financial inclusion so that consumer protection remains an important cornerstone of growth.
tinyurl.com/ye2523hf
Leeds Reforms to rewire financial system, boost investment and create skilled jobs across UK
Red tape cut and savers supported to invest as Chancellor rewires financial system to boost growth
tinyurl.com
July 15, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Good to see that energy bills can be cut quickly when there is a will. Look forward to the Government slashing energy bills for those on low incomes via a social tariff... @fairbydesign.bsky.social
#energysocialtariff
June 24, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Reposted
A huge thanks to the lived experience expert speakers who shared their stories yesterday at our event on affordable credit and financial inclusion.

It’s vital that these voices help shape policy and the design of financial services.
June 18, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Reposted
Our Head of Policy @mariacbooker.bsky.social spoke at the Local Government Association Financial Inclusion Webinar this week.

Here 📹 Maria explains how No Interest Loan Schemes in the North East are helping to provide credit to people who can’t currently access it.
June 6, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Reposted
A clip from yesterday's Energy Security and Net Zero Committee session with our Head of Policy @mariacbooker.bsky.social, as she discusses the importance of long term energy bill support, in the form of a social tariff.
June 5, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Reposted
Can local No Interest Loan Schemes (NILS) help low-income households to weather financial bumps in the road? A case study from County Durham.

Read our latest case study on how NILS is helping people get back on their feet.

fairbydesign.com/we-launch-ne...
We launch new case study on local No Interest Loan Schemes in the North East
Today we are publishing a new case study showing how local No Interest Loan Schemes (NILS) are successfully helping people avoid paying the poverty premium.
fairbydesign.com
June 3, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Reposted
📣Join us to demand action on Warm Homes!

On Wednesday 28 May, health workers will gather outside the Department of Health to call for a fully funded Warm Homes Plan, and we’re proud to support them.

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May 27, 2025 at 3:09 PM
However, if you pay when you receive your bill, you will be paying £15 more for your energy on average from July! @fairbydesign.bsky.social survey shows that most people don't know they are paying extra for paying by standard credit or think the "extra" is only a small amount... rb.gy/q8sd2l
May 23, 2025 at 7:27 AM
So exciting to have this up and running - what a fantastic bunch! Thanks to @povertyalliance.org for making it happen! And thank you to David Reilly @morganvine.bsky.social & David Southgate for taking the time to share their experience of involving people with lived experience in their work...
We’ve launched a new advisory panel made up of people with lived experience of the poverty premium. Their insight will shape our work – from setting priorities to guiding research.

This is an important step so lived experience is at the heart of everything we do.

fairbydesign.com/blog-new-adv...
Fair By Design’s lived experience advisory group meets for the first time
Our new advisory group of lived experience experts has met for an introductory session, helping to shape the future of our work.
fairbydesign.com
May 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Parliament was looking lovely last night for the @nea.org.uk annual reception. We were reminded by @kirstysnp.bsky.social about the ongoing impact of #fuelpoverty. @adamscorer.bsky.social was as inspiring as ever making the case for an ambitious response. Thanks to Baroness McIntosh for having us.
May 8, 2025 at 8:44 AM
So proud to see Charlotte and Beth's stories in the @bigissue.com - do have a read!
May 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Reposted
"With an increasing number shops card-only, the committee said prices would rise for essential goods & services in the remaining outlets that accepted cash"

Cash helps many low-income households budget, it's important they aren't charged more for using it in shops.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Shops could be forced to accept cash in future, MPs warn
There is no data on how widely cash is accepted which puts the UK at risk of becoming cashless, a report warns.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 30, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Mike Brewer from the @resolution explaining how a lack of savings can lead to #povertypremiums at the @nestinsight.bsky.social Easier to Save event… @fairbydesign.bsky.social
March 31, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Discussing FlexMyRent trial in Nottingham today with @responsiblecred.bsky.social and sharing @fairbydesign.bsky.social s research on flexible payments in energy. Would be great to see flexibility being used more to boost financial resilience!
March 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted
New research from @which-uk.bsky.social shows paying monthly for car insurance, rather than in one go, costs more.

No one should have to pay more for essential cover because of how they can afford to pay.

uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/car-hom...
The car and home insurers charging 'exorbitant' interest rates on monthly payments
Some car and home insurers continue to charge 'exorbitant' interest rates on monthly payments, research by consumer group Which? has found.
uk.finance.yahoo.com
March 19, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Fantastic to be in the beautiful @scotparl this evening and to be reunited with some of the wonderful #Givemesomecredit gang! Thanks to @benmacpherson and Financial Inclusion Scotland for another opportunity to share the exhibition #povertypremium @povertyalliance.org @fairbydesign.bsky.social
March 11, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Let’s make the most of this opportunity - if you think the current credit system is unfair please email your MP #povertypremium #FairBankingAct
Powerful stories of debt and lack of access to affordable credit in this documentary last night – please email your MP to call for a Fair Banking Act to tackle this problem and support @fbfacampaign.bsky.social here:

justmoney.eaction.online/FairBanking

#FairBankingForAll
March 11, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Reposted
Millions of people who can’t access #affordablecredit have to pay a #povertypremium. A Fair Banking Act would mean fair access to credit for people currently excluded. Brilliant to see this issue covered in Michael Sheen's Secret Million Pound Giveaway.
Michael Sheen's Secret Million Pound Giveaway
Michael buys £1m of debt from hundreds of people in Wales. And then writes it all off.
buff.ly
March 10, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Reposted
"One of the things I want to make clear is that just stopping the bad guys is not enough if you don’t support better alternatives. Because people will still need access to credit.”
Michael Sheen on why he wrote off £1m of people's debts
Ahead of Michael Sheen's Secret One Million Pound Giveaway on Channel 4, the actor has given an exclusive interview to Big Issue.
buff.ly
March 11, 2025 at 8:56 AM