Finance

Harlow Consulting was commissioned by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) Money Guiders programme to provide a complete understanding of the training and qualifications landscape which supports the provision of money guidance (regulated and non-regulated roles). Over 370 training and qualification opportunities were analysed to provide detailed insights into the breadth, depth and characteristics of training and qualification provision for those providing money guidance; this analysis was supported by consultation with training providers and industry stakeholders. Outputs from this research highlighted opportunities for improvement in the provision of training and qualifications and to strengthen connections between the MaPS Money Guiders programme and other provision in the UK, ultimately contributing to improving the quality of the delivery of money guidance across the UK.  

There is a wealth of money guidance available within the UK, delivered by a range of providers – from food banks and libraries to financial services. Harlow Consulting developed a Money Guiders Typology to inform a view of the landscape of money guidance. Typologies were developed through a combination of desk research, practitioner interviews, a practitioner survey and a stakeholder workshop. We collaborated with the client to identify appropriate stakeholders to form a project Reference Group, which guided our development of a series of ‘typologies’ and ‘personas’ of practitioners involved in the development of money guidance.

For HES we completed research into the potential impact of, and considerations around, introducing a VAT rebate scheme to support the repair of listed buildings in Scotland. The work employed a multi-method approach, involving desk-based research into the complex history and rationale for current VAT arrangements; analysis of: planning authority data, national statistics, an online survey of listed building owners and triangulation of data and supply and demand-based modelling. Our report described approaches that could be used to reduce the VAT burden and to understand the related impacts that might be realised.