Projects tackling consumer harm in diverse groups receive welcome cash boost
Projects that look at the disadvantages faced by diverse consumer groups are set to receive a welcome boost this week, as the Consumer’s Association unveils the recipients of its newly launched ‘Which? Fund’.
Grants of tens of thousands of pounds will be awarded to organisations that aim to identify the root cause of everyday challenges faced by diverse and disadvantaged groups when accessing services such as insurance or pensions.
The new Which? Fund has been set up to support work that will uncover consumer harm in some of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities. It also supports the consumer champion’s commitment to be the voice of all UK consumers.
The successful projects include:
- Research by the Pensions Policy Institute to assess and address the relative lack of data about pensions savings in ethnic minority groups
- A project by the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, to explore and tackle unfair discrimination against people with mental health problems in insurance markets
- The Fund has also given a share of the money to National Energy Action for a project that will look at strengthening energy advice and support networks for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
- And work from the Social Market Foundation to explore improving access to financial products, such as credit and savings, by those from an ethnic minority background
The projects, which will progress over the next year, will help offer insight not previously explored in disadvantaged communities to enable evidence-based solutions and facilitate positive change.
Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said:
“This fund will enable those working closely with diverse and disadvantaged communities to investigate the harm experienced by those consumers and identify potential solutions.
“Ultimately, through this initiative, we seek to continue supporting all UK consumers, regardless of their backgrounds and experiences.”
Notes to editors
Which? invited proposals for research projects using innovative methodologies to build evidence of the harm experienced by diverse and disadvantaged consumer groups, selecting four in total.
Useful links:
Money & Mental Health Policy Institute
About Which?
Which? is the UK’s consumer champion, here to make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. Our research gets to the heart of consumer issues, our advice is impartial, and our rigorous product tests lead to expert recommendations. We’re the independent consumer voice that influences politicians and lawmakers, investigates, holds businesses to account and makes change happen. As an organisation we’re not for profit and all for making consumers more powerful.
The information in this press release is for editorial use by journalists and media outlets only. Any business seeking to reproduce information in this release should contact the Which? Endorsement Scheme team at endorsementscheme@which.co.uk.
Press Release: consumer research, diverse, diversity, Which? Fund