Financial Inclusion for Scotland's Sharon McPherson attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fair Banking in London yesterday, alongside representatives from @thefinancelab.bsky.social, @fair4allfinance.bsky.social, @fairbydesign.bsky.social and the FCA, hosted by Gareth Thomas MP.

Thanks to Baroness Kramer and other peers who spoke during Financial Services Bill debate this week and explained why we need to grow #CreditUnions and #CDFIs if we want a financial system that works for everyone New blog here: tinyurl.com/mrx7ejeu @fbfacampaign.bsky.social #FairBankingForAll

Thank you to @gareththomasmp.bsky.social and @responsiblefinance.bsky.social for hosting Monday's event in Parliament - celebrating CDFIs as enablers of growth in places which too often are overlooked. #FairBankingForAll #CDFIs #FairBankingAct #FinancialInclusion

We are delighted to launch our Big Change That Lasts Fund today. Our Big Change Grants are an evolution of our Programme Awards, building on what we’ve learned to better support the kind of work needed to create “big change that lasts.” Find out more⤵️ www.therobertsontrust.org.uk/funding/type...

The Big Change That Lasts Fund

The Big Change That Lasts Fund supports organisations working in Scotland to deliver long‑term, systemic change that prevents and reduces poverty and related trauma. We fund work that tackles the unde...

therobertsontrust.org.uk

Scottish Government funding from SIS is helping Castlemilk Credit Union to unlock unclaimed benefits & put more money in members’ pockets. Backed by FIFS research, this is real progress for financial inclusion across Scotland. Read more:

Here's how members of Glasgow credit unions could get more money in pockets

Members of Castlemilk and Cranhill Credit Union may see more money going into their pockets thanks to new funding.

glasgowtimes.co.uk

Over six million workers earn less than an unemployed person on benefits, according to the Centre for Social Justice. Is it true?

Would a quarter of workers really be better off on benefits?

bigissue.com

Sharon MacPherson delivered a guest lecture at Glasgow Caledonian University, highlighting how financial inclusion can tackle inequality and build fairer financial systems. Great energy and insight from students shaping the future of social finance. #financialinclusion

Great to celebrate #Moneyline’s Scotland launch last week. Inspiring to see so many committed to #financialinclusion and working together for fair, ethical lending. A powerful step forward. Well done to Shiona Crichton and the team.

"We're not here as case studies; we're here as people who are contributing to shaping change." New blog from @fairbydesign.bsky.social on their work with @povertyalliance.org creating a Lived Experience Advisory Panel. fairbydesign.com/blog-what-li...

What Does ‘Lived Experience’ Really Mean? Our Panel’s Perspective

Our Lived Experience Panel shares what the term ‘lived experience’ means to them, why language matters, and how genuine inclusion shapes real policy change.

fairbydesign.com

🗣️ “Nothing’s changed? Everything’s changed. It’s worse.” We were privileged to work alongside the Grassroots Poverty Action Group (GPAG) on the foreword of our #UKPoverty2026 report that launched this morning. They also shared their reflections on they key findings in this impactful video ⬇️

"A Fair Banking Act is a common sense, proportionate measure which could have transformative benefits for businesses and communities across the UK, and I commend this Bill to the House." 👏 @gareththomasmp.bsky.social #FairBankingForAll #FairBankingAct

Affordable credit is critical for households and businesses. A #FairBankingAct would make banks accountable for expanding fair, affordable lending where it’s needed most. @fbfacampaign.bsky.social @gareththomasmp.bsky.social #FairBankingForAll

‘A fair banking act is essential to expand access to affordable credit’ – LabourList

Access to affordable finance can unlock the potential of businesses across the UK, helping them grow and thrive. It can also be a lifeline for…

filab.uk

In 2026, we'll be closing out our two-year strategy for Financial Inclusion in Scotland and planning what’s next. Want to stay updated? Sign up for our newsletter today ↪️ buff.ly/vVGcdIA #FinancialInclusion

Huge thanks to @guardianheather.bsky.social for highlighting the call for a #FairBankingAct to bring banks together with #creditunions and #CDFIs to ensure people can access #affordablecredit when they need it. bit.ly/44dqFAv @coopparty.party.coop

Forcing UK banks to support credit unions would help keep loan sharks at bay | Heather Stewart

High street banks dodged a windfall tax – now they should invest in growth of local lenders

bit.ly

Great to join the conversation in Glasgow! Listening to residents share the challenges they face in accessing affordable credit reinforces why initiatives like the #FairBankingAct matter. Huge thanks to everyone involved for exploring practical steps to boost financial inclusion. #FairBankingForAll

The Fair Banking for All Campaign@fbfacampaign.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Thank you to Martin Rhodes MP, @pjferguson.bsky.social, @maureenburke.bsky.social & John Grady MP for meeting Glasgow residents to hear their experiences of being shut out of affordable credit, & how a #FairBankingAct could change this. #FairBankingForAll financeinnovationlab.org/youre-left-w...

Caroline Cawley has experienced the disability benefits system in both England and Scotland. She explains why the Scottish system is better.

Scotland's benefits system treated me better than the DWP

bigissue.com

Poverty among pensioners is often overlooked and underestimated but the risk of financial hardship in later life is significant and rising. In a new blog for @povertyalliance.org, we call for system changes to deliver security not struggle for older people. www.povertyalliance.org/guest-blog-s...

Guest Blog: Security not Struggle for Scotland’s older people

Matthew Sayers, Scotland Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer Independent Age Click here to read the Independent Age manifesto to reduce pensioner poverty Every day at Independent Age - the nation...

povertyalliance.org

Gloria Odhi, a participant of Changing Realities, shared her story with the Scottish first minister with the hope of inspiring change.

I couldn't afford to fix my broken bed. People in poverty like me need help with the essentials

bigissue.com

We are driving change, campaigning for better access to affordable credit, stronger community lenders, and bold policy solutions like the Fair Banking Act and Dormant Assets reform. 👉 Be part of the movement: socialinvestmentscotland.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=... #FinancialInclusion

Last week we responded to Scottish Labour’s consultation on financial inclusion. With 22.4% of households in Scotland facing a poverty premium, we’re calling for an ambitious UK-wide Financial Inclusion Strategy to address this. fairbydesign.com/scottish-lab...

We respond to Scottish Labour consultation on financial inclusion

We call for a bold Financial Inclusion Strategy to tackle poverty premiums & systemic exclusion.

fairbydesign.com

We are driving change, campaigning for better access to affordable credit, stronger community lenders, and bold policy solutions like the Fair Banking Act and Dormant Assets reform. 👉 Be part of the movement: socialinvestmentscotland.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=... #FinancialInclusion

Social Investment Scotland

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socialinvestmentscotland.us10.list-manage.com

We’re working toward a financially inclusive Scotland—where no one is left behind. ✅ Fair financial access ✅ Fair Banking Act ✅ Dormant assets unlocked ✅ Delivering on Scotland’s 1st Financial Inclusion Strategy 🔗 www.socialinvestmentscotland.com/about/financ... #FinancialInclusion

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Our #GetHeardScotland members use their experience to push for laws and systems to better help people on low incomes. Panel member John Bell has written a great guest blog on what it was like taking part in a @CollectiveScot leadership event. www.povertyalliance.org/guest-blog-s...

🚨 News from Financial Inclusion for Scotland Welcome new members #ResponsibleFinance and @citizensadvicescot.bsky.social, and thrilled to have Janine Rennie, CEO of @moneyadvicescot.bsky.social, with Peter Costello now representing FARE Scotland. 🔗 bit.ly/3XYZabc #FinancialInclusion

"Voluntary fixes won't solve the credit crisis.. A #FairBankingAct would be a powerful statement that access to affordable, ethical credit for consumers & businesses is not optional." New blog from @thefinancelab.bsky.social 👇 #FairBankingForAll financeinnovationlab.org/why-voluntar...

Why voluntary market fixes won’t solve the credit crisis - Finance Innovation Lab

Sam Rex-Edwards, our Head of Movement Building and Campaigns, reflects on last weeks sudden closure of the Financial Fairness Trust by asset manager Aberdeen Group. The shock move by asset manager Abe...

financeinnovationlab.org

“That creates a poverty premium where people are having to pay higher prices, sometimes for basic goods” Really good to see Meg Hillier mention the poverty premium as part of the TSC's scrutiny of the Government’s financial inclusion strategy. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2529128...

‘It’s not a problem until it is’: MPs hear how poverty premium is hitting Glasgow

Treasury Committee members visit Glasgow to hear how the ‘poverty premium’ and decline of cash acceptance is affecting low-income communities.

heraldscotland.com

📖 Weekend reading. It's just wrong that people on low incomes have unjust stigma put on them by others. Ine in five people on low incomes say they have often experienced discrimination or judgement. And that has a bad impact on their mental health. www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/defaul...

Last week we launched a new case study looking at how No Interest Loan Schemes are helping to combat the poverty premium in the North East. Have a read here - fairbydesign.com/we-launch-ne...

Did you know that 1 in 7 Scots are financially excluded? Sharon Macpherson of Financial Inclusion for Scotland calls for bold action to make financial services work for everyone, not just the few. Read her piece in @TheScotsman: www.scotsman.com/business/why... It’s time for a #FairBankingAct.

'When nearly half of people are so financially fragile that they are living in fear of a £100 bill, something has gone very wrong'

Nearly half of Brits only £100 away from being overdue on their rent or mortgage: 'On a knife edge'

bigissue.com