Credit Unions Publish Scottish and Welsh Credit Union Manifesto Asks ahead of Upcoming Elections

Tuesday 17 February 2026

Credit Unions have published two new manifesto documents outlining the key policy priorities needed to support sustainable growth and financial inclusion across Scotland and Wales. The Scottish Credit Union Manifesto Asks 2026 and the Welsh Credit Union Manifesto Asks 2026 have been developed by ABCUL in partnership with the Scottish League of Credit Unions (SLCU) and Credit Unions of Wales (CUW). Together, they reflect a unified, sector-wide call for action from the next Scottish Government and the next Welsh Government.

Both manifestos highlight the essential role credit unions play as ethical, not-for-profit financial co-operatives supporting local communities, offering affordable credit, accessible savings, budgeting support and financial education to people often excluded from mainstream banking. With hundreds of thousands of individuals in Scotland and Wales declined credit each year, the manifestos argue that the need for fair and affordable financial services has never been greater.

Across both nations, the documents set out clear and practical policy asks, including:

• Unlocking dormant assets to support financial inclusion
• Expanding payroll deduction schemes to help workers build financial resilience
• Supporting long-term digital modernisation to strengthen the sector’s sustainability
• Embedding credit unions within local authority and community wealth-building strategies
• Ensuring fairer insolvency solutions tailored to the needs of individuals and communities
• Strengthening collaboration, sector infrastructure and strategic capacity

ABCUL CEO, Matt Bland said: “Credit unions across Scotland and Wales are delivering vital services every day to help households build resilience, avoid high-cost credit, and strengthen their financial wellbeing. These manifestos set out a clear, ambitious and achievable blueprint for enabling the sector to grow sustainably and support even more people in the years ahead.

“We are calling on political leaders to work in partnership with us-recognising credit unions not only as ethical financial providers, but as essential social and economic anchors within their communities.”

• Download the Scottish Credit Union Manifesto Ask Here
• Download the Welsh Credit Union Manifesto Ask Here