All Party Parliamentary Group and Cross Party Group

ABCUL provide secretariat services to both the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Credit Unions in Westminster and the Cross Party Group (CPG) on Credit Unions in the Scottish Parliament.

Both groups meet several times a year and bring politicians from across the political spectrum together to discuss issues affecting the credit union movement and to build consensus and political support behind measures to support their development.

If you are an MP or Peer and would like more information about the Group and its meetings please get in touch.

To date, the CPG has arranged meetings on "Helping Scots through the recession", on "Fair and appropriate debt solutions" and "Credit Unions - Publicising Scotland's best kept secret".

Like all Cross-Party Groups, the CPG on Credit Unions was officially dissolved with the Dissolution of the last Parliament, but we are working to re-register the CPG in the new Parliament. Please contact Frank McKillop at the address below for more information about the CPG.

The Cross Party Group's officers are as follows:

. Convener - Frank McAveety MSP, Labour
. Vice Convener - John Wilson MSP, SNP
. Vice Convener - Mary Scanlon MSP, Conservative
. Treasurer - James Kelly MSP, Labour
. Secretary - Frank McKillop, ABCUL

Future meetings for both groups will look at: promoting a savings culture, financial education, partnership with the post office network and serving businesses and social enterprises.

For information about joining either group or to receive updates about meetings please contact:

. APPG - Matt Bland, Policy and Communications Assistant - matt.bland@abcul.org / 0161 819 6933

. CPG - Frank McKillop, Policy Officer (Scotland) - frank.mckillop@abcul.org

ABCUL: Credit unions welcome progress on legislation

ABCUL – the Association of British Credit Unions – has welcomed steps taken in Parliament this week which will see increased access to safe and ethical financial services in communities and workplaces across the country.

Credit union delight at £73 million Government boost

Mark Lyonette, Chief Executive of ABCUL - the Association of British Credit Unions, has welcomed today's announcement that the Government is investing up to £73 million in credit unions over the next four years, and that the Post Office could play a central role in delivering credit union services.

ABCUL: Now there's an easier way to find your local credit union

Around 80% of people in England, Scotland and Wales can join a credit union because of where they live, work or the organisations they're members of, and this is growing all the time. Now there's one place where they can find out about the credit unions they can use.

ABCUL: Credit unions welcome Post Office plans

ABCUL - the Association of British Credit Unions - has welcomed today's policy statement from The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) on its plans to secure the long term future of the Post Office.

ABCUL: Credit unions can help increase diversity in financial services

Speaking at a fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference, Mark Lyonette explained how credit unions now serve nearly a million people in England, Scotland and Wales and sought reassurance from Financial Services.