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Toolkit puts protections in place for vulnerable
citizens owing money to government
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Frontline public sector staff will be able to identify
and support people facing additional challenges
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Government can now focus resources towards those in
debt who are deliberately avoiding repayment
The Government Debt Management Function has published a
Vulnerability Toolkit which ensures ‘vulnerable’ citizens
who are in debt to the public sector are handled with
compassion and support by frontline staff.
The new guidance will be accessible to government
departments and public bodies, enabling them to identify
and assist people whose physical or mental health may
affect their ability to repay sums owed to the Government.
It will equip employees with:
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Training to handle disclosures of vulnerability
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A framework for gaining more information about an
individual’s circumstances
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A protocol for supporting people in potentially
dangerous situations
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A protocol for supporting people with mental capacity
limitations
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Resources for supporting people to get out of debt
through improved Money Management
Cabinet Office minister, , said:
“This new guide will ensure an individual’s hardship and
circumstances are factored into their cases by government
bodies.
“At a time when the country continues on its path to build
back better from the pandemic, it’s vitally important we
don’t lose sight of the need to not leave anyone behind in
the process.”
By identifying those people who have got into financial
trouble due to vulnerabilities, the Toolkit will allow the
government to focus on those who are deliberately trying to
avoid repaying.
Reasons for debt to public sector creditors include
overpayment of benefits, council tax arrears or outstanding
fines.
The toolkit can be found here.
