Empowering Scotland: Financial Inclusion for All at the Scottish Parliament
13 Mar 2025
- Financial Inclusion for Scotland
This week, Financial Inclusion for Scotland (FIFS) brought together policymakers, financial experts, and community leaders to champion the cause of financial inclusion across Scotland.
The gathering, at The Scottish Parliament, featured a series of insightful discussions and presentations:
Update on the Financial Inclusion Strategy 2024-2026: Sharon MacPherson provided a short update on the group's strategy, including a call for £20m of the additional £74m in dormant assets funding to deliver a ‘First Loss Fund’ to support financial inclusion initiatives across Scotland.
MSP Speeches: Ben Macpherson MSP and Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, both spoke passionately about the importance of financial wellbeing and the need for everyone to have access to support when needed.
Personal Testimonies: Attendees heard a powerful testimony from Caroline, who shared her personal experience of the challenges of accessing affordable credit. Her speech highlighted the real-life implications of financial exclusion and the pressing need for systemic change.
Photo Exhibition: Attendees had the opportunity to view the "Give Me Some Credit: The Reality of Life Without a Safety Net" photo exhibition by The Poverty Alliance, in partnership with Fair By Design. This exhibition showcases the stories of 14 people with lived experience of poverty and financial exclusion who took photos and wrote stories that depict the day-to-day personal impacts of being denied access to credit. Seven attended the reception to share their insights and discuss their challenges in accessing credit during times of unexpected need.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to turning insights and strategies into meaningful action. Through collaboration between government, financial institutions, and community organisations, Financial Inclusion for Scotland is working to create a more resilient financial ecosystem - one where everyone has access to the support they need.