Money Advice Scotland's Scottish Parliament Election Response

Money Advice Scotland would like to congratulate all MSPs elected to the Scottish Parliament following last week’s election, and the SNP on emerging as the largest party.   

At a time when many households across Scotland continue to face significant financial pressures, this new parliamentary term presents an important opportunity to strengthen the money and debt advice sector who offer invaluable support to people experiencing problem debt and financial difficulty.   

Every day, money and debt advisers across Scotland help people navigate increasingly complex financial situations. Advice services are supporting people facing rising living costs, problem debt, income shocks and financial insecurity, often while dealing with wider challenges relating to housing, health and wellbeing. The demand for free, impartial and accessible advice continues to grow.   

At the same time, the money and debt advice sector itself is under considerable pressure. Many organisations are facing increasing demand, workforce challenges and the uncertainty that comes with short-term and restricted funding arrangements. Across the sector, services are working hard to maintain capacity and reduce waiting times while continuing to deliver high-quality support in increasingly complex circumstances.   

A strong and sustainable advice sector is essential to Scotland’s wider efforts to tackle poverty, improve financial wellbeing and prevent crises from escalating. Early access to advice can make a significant difference to helping people to stabilise their finances and avoid longer-term hardship.   

As the national membership body for money advisers in Scotland, Money Advice Scotland looks forward to working constructively with the Scottish Government and MSPs from all parties over the coming parliamentary term.   

We hope to see continued focus on building a fairer and more resilient debt advice sector, including long-term and flexible investment in advice services, support for early intervention and prevention, and a commitment to ensuring people can access free, impartial advice when they need it.   

The challenges facing households and advice services alike will require collaboration, ambition and sustained commitment. Money Advice Scotland and our members stand ready to play our part in helping to strengthen the financial wellbeing of people across Scotland.