The British insurance giant Aviva has announced new partnerships that will see it pledge £7 million to Citizens Advice and £2 million to the Money Advice Trust’s Business Debtline service over the next two years.
In a Press release, the insurer noted through its support about 50 new Citizens Advice advisers will be able to help as many as 250,000 additional people seeking advice. In addition, the service will have a 50% increased capacity to deliver advice through its website. Meanwhile, its support for Business Debtline will finance an additional team of advisers – helping them take an extra 25,000 advice calls and appointments.
Aviva noted that the Money Advice Trust’s Business Debtline service, which is the only free dedicated debt advice service for small business owners and the self-employed in the UK, is experiencing a 24% rise in calls seeking help amid the cost of the living crisis.
Commenting on the new partnerships, group CEO of Aviva Amanda Blanc said: “We’re proud to partner with Citizens Advice and the Money Advice Trust. Their incredible staff and volunteers are working flat-out to make sure people across the UK can navigate these challenging times. Aviva’s financial support over the next two years will help these brilliant charities get more people and more small businesses back on their feet and build their financial resilience for the longer term.”
Dame Clare Moriarty, CEO of Citizens Advice, also commented on Aviva’s support noting that the service is seeing “huge demand” as the cost-of-living crisis puts pressure on family finances. She added that Citizens Advice is glad to partner with Aviva to help people access the best online resources available to navigate their problems.
“The cost-of-living crisis is having a double impact on small business owners - hitting both their personal and business finances,” said Joanna Elson CBE, CEO, Money Advice Trust (the charity that runs Business Debtline). “With millions of people worrying about the cost of living every day, it has never been more important to ensure small businesses get the advice and support they need. The Money Advice Trust’s partnership with Aviva will help this critical part of the UK economy to look forward with confidence.”
