allpay and Money Advice Plus Services team up against financial exclusion

Published by Annie Neesham for allpay Limited in Bill Payments and also in Local Government

allpay and money advice plus services (MAPS) have one big thing in common. They are passionate about financial inclusion.

And that’s why a partnership between the two seemed to make sense to allpay’s Mark Thomas and Gail Biggerstaff from MAPS, an independent money advice charity.

Whether it’s the need for high quality money advice, a heavy reliance on doorstep money lenders or the lack of access to financial products like bank accounts, financial exclusion currently affects 60% of the UK’s low income households in rented accommodation.

MAPS has extensive experience of working with partner organisations, including social housing landlords.  Money advice services are provided by telephone to improve money management, help reduce debts, maintain tenancies, and support wider social and financial inclusion objectives, 

By offering easy, convenient ways to make payments, allpay has a firm focus on financial inclusion and provides services which appeal to those who are restricted to using cash.

This partnership means that MAPS can now spread the word about its valuable support services amongst allpay’s 750 and growing client base. Alongside this awareness drive, allpay is also looking to develop a prepaid card specifically designed to make payments easier for individuals repaying their creditors.

“allpay’s roots are firmly set in financial inclusion. For more than 14 years we have been dedicated to finding ways for bills to be paid conveniently and on time, particularly for those customers that don’t have access to bank accounts and credit. Teaming up with money advice plus means that we can pool experience and develop new ideas that will ultimately ease the burden of debt,” comments allpay Deputy Managing Director Mark Thomas.

Gail Biggerstaff, MAPS CEO, adds: ‘Working effectively with partners to help them support their customers is at the heart of what we do. We are delighted to have support from allpay to promote the value of money advice more widely to their clients. It’s so important for people to get access to money advice as early as possible to help manage bill payments and prevent the build up of debt longer term.’