Moneymadeclear - launch of national service
The FSA (Financial Services Authority), in partnership with Government, recently launched the national money guidance service. The Chancellor Of The Exchequer RT Hon Alistair Darling, alongside Chris Pond, FSA Director of Financial Capability, visited a money guidance session to launch the national Moneymadeclear service.
Background
In March 2009 the FSA, in partnership with Government, launched a one-year pilot to test delivery of a money guidance service in the North West and North East of England, using the Moneymadeclear brand. This is a new service that offers guidance on everything to do with personal finance, tailored to individuals’ needs and circumstances. Moneymadeclear will help people make confident, informed financial decisions and make the most of their money. It will encourage people to take action before money worries become unmanageable money problems. The service is completely impartial and will never recommend products or try to sell anything.
Moneymadeclear can help people to:
• cope with changing circumstances, like a sudden drop in income;
• get the most out of a budget;
• save for a special event, or just a rainy day;
• borrow wisely;
• plan for retirement;
• understand tax and welfare benefits; and
• explain financial jargon.
When Moneymadeclear doesn’t have the answers, it will help people to find them elsewhere. This will include signposting to, for example, specialist advice on debt or pensions, or to regulated financial advice.
Why a Moneymadeclear service?
The Moneymadeclear service is a response to the Thoresen Review, commissioned by the Treasury in 2007. The Thoresen Review looked at how to bring generic financial advice to everyone in the UK and it recommended setting up a pilot or pathfinder to test how to do this.
How to contact the service?
• Call the Moneymadeclear helpline – opening hours are 8am to 8pm on Monday to Friday
(excluding Bank Holidays). Please note, calls may be recorded or monitored for training
purposes.
• Main number – 0300 500 5000 (calls should cost no more than 01 or 02 UK-wide
calls, and are included in inclusive mobile and landline minutes)
• Typetalk – 18001 0300 500 5000 (calls should cost no more than 01 or 02 UK-wide
calls, and are included in inclusive mobile and landline minutes)
• From overseas – +44 20 7066 1000 (main switchboard)
• See the Moneymadeclear website – www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk
