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Bradford District Credit Union supports workers financially struggling because of furlough

Bradford Council worker Michelle Taylor recently appeared on BBC television to discuss her relationship with the Credit Union which has helped her manage her finances as a single mum. She is recommending the new scheme to anyone suffering hardship because of the pandemic.

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Wednesday 17 January 2024

Bradford Council worker Michelle Taylor recently appeared on BBC television to discuss her relationship with the Credit Union which has helped her manage her finances as a single mum. She is recommending the new scheme to anyone suffering hardship because of the pandemic.

Bradford Council has funded and launched a new initiative through the Bradford District Credit Union (BDCU) (Monday 27 July), to provide financial support to the district’s workers struggling because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus outbreak is a challenging time for everyone with a significant impact on much of the workforce. To help, the Government introduced the ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ for employed staff and the ’Self-Employment Income Support Scheme’ for the self-employed, providing furloughed and self-employed workers 80 per cent of their wages up to £2,500 a month.

While the scheme has been extended until October, the amount of wages covered is reducing resulting in many workers experiencing a gap in income or facing redundancy.

To help cover the shortfall, Bradford Council is working in partnership with Bradford District Credit Union (BDCU) to launch the new ‘Covid Loan & Save Account’.

Workers who are on furlough, part of the ’Self-Employment Income Support Scheme’ or have lost their job due to the pandemic can apply for a £500 payment that is made of up a £50 grant and a £450 interest free loan.

The loan is paid back when the individual is either back in work or successfully receiving benefits. There is no credit search made for the loan which is designed to be affordable and also help to kick-start their savings habit with the Credit Union.

Bradford Council Leader Cllr, Susan Hinchcliff said:  “We know people are struggling so we are happy to support this new scheme which will provide a short-term grant and bridging loan to help financially squeezed residents.

“The scheme has the key aims of increasing financial awareness and skills, reducing indebtedness, and improving financial and health wellbeing by saving with the Credit Union.

“We want people to stay away from borrowing on high-interest credit or even from loan sharks who prey on victims who are in financial trouble.”

CEO of BDCU, Andrew Bowker said: “This unique support by Bradford Council is a progressive way of helping workers back on their feet. This new scheme is very similar to our popular Family Loan where struggling families can apply for a £500 affordable loan with no credit checks when paying in their Child Benefit to their Credit Union savings account.’

The ‘Covid Loan & Save Account’ has a limited number of loans available and as people pay back their loans, BDCU will then offer it out to help even more struggling workers.

 

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