credit references strategy

Summary

A request was made to the Isle of Man Cabinet Office regarding plans to share rates and utility payment history with credit reference agencies to improve lending access and reduce debt. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and suggested contacting Manx Utilities or The Treasury instead.

Key Facts

• The Cabinet Office does not hold the information requested regarding credit reference strategies.
• The request specifically asked about sharing rates and utility billing history with credit agencies.
• The stated goal of the request was to minimize avoidable interest and maximize disposable income for residents.
• Applicants were directed to contact Manx Utilities or The Treasury for potential assistance.
• The request was formally closed on 8 June 2021.

Data Disclosed

• 1796141
• 2021-05-17
• 2021-06-08
• 8 June 2021
• 17 May 2021
• IM1 3PN
• 01624 686244
• 687687
• 685980

Original Request

To what extent has sharing (a) rates and (b) utility billing and payment history with credit reference agencies been considered and progressed with a draft or finalised action point in any plans to date, to include the poverty policy and persistent debt issues, with the expected benefit of wider availability of lenders to borrowers at lower interest rates to a significant percentage of residents to minimise avoidable interest and to maximise disposible income to spend locally?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 1796141 8 June 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 17 May 2021 and which states:

"To what extent has sharing (a) rates and (b) utility billing and payment history with credit reference agencies been considered and progressed with a draft or finalised action point in any plans to date, to include the poverty policy and persistent debt issues, with the expected benefit of wider availability of lenders to borrowers at lower interest rates to a significant percentage of residents to minimise avoidable interest and to maximise disposible income to spend locally?"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested.

However, you may wish to contact Manx Utilities at enquiries@manxutilities.im telephone: 687687 and The Treasury at treasuryadmin@gov.im telephone: 685980 who may be able to help you.

Please quote the reference number 1796141 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or

1. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
   In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely