Financial Inclusion Network
FIN News: 26 November 2025
Welcome to this week's Financial Inclusion Network news
The Financial Inclusion Network is an informal group of over 250 members taken from the Public and Third Sectors which covers all areas of South Lanarkshire. This network is to share information from a wide range of themes. We hope to provide a new update each week that can be accessed by all members at any time to see what is going on in the area under the headings below. If you would like an item included within our weekly news, please complete our short online form here: https://forms.office.com/e/Ht5w7iAuFi. For further information, please email communities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
Money is not the only problem – Money
Having enough money to get by can be a big issue for people. This section looks at how you may be able to get more money in, either through benefits or fair work, and how you might be able to cut your bills in some ways.
https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/directory/182/money_is_not_the_only_problem/category/519
Have your say on savings and your services
Everyone in South Lanarkshire has the chance to get involved as the council sets its budget for next year.
A public consultation has now opened as 17 savings options have been tabled to help bridge a £36 million gap over the next two years, with £14m needed in 2026-27 alone.
https://www.southlanarkshireview.scot/news/article/2770/Have_your_say_on_savings_and_your_services
Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland
CPAG in Scotland Seminar: Beyond Universal Credit migration - current challenges and future changes. Thursday 27 November 1-4pm, Glasgow. This seminar is a chance to share with other advisers in Scotland the challenges you are seeing, stay up to date with the latest developments and consider tactics to best support clients through this period of change. This seminar in Glasgow is a chance to share with other advisers in Scotland the challenges you are seeing, stay up to date with the latest developments and consider tactics to best support clients through this period of change. Please use this link to register:-
Fuel Poverty Awareness Day – 26 November 2025
Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, led by National Energy Action, takes place on 26 November and highlights the growing struggle to keep warm this winter. Support the campaign by sharing resources, contacting your MP, or joining the ‘Nation’s Biggest Housewarming’
Energy Action Scotland are heavily involved and you can see what they are doing against Fuel Poverty at their website - https://eas.org.uk/fuel-poverty/
Wish List will help creation of hub space
An East Kilbride church has had their appeal to transform their basement space answered – thanks to the Community Wish List.
East Mains Baptist Church appealed to the list for help with their basement renovation project, helping transform it into a hub for many of the local groups who currently use it.
https://www.southlanarkshireview.scot/news/article/2791/Wish_List_will_help_creation_of_hub_space
VASLan – Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund
VASLan - Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund - Funding Scotland
The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund (CMHWF) for adults was established in October 2021 and to date, it has distributed around £51 million to community initiatives supporting mental health and wellbeing.
The closing date is Monday 19 December 2025. For more information and how to apply follow this link:-
Police Scotland - Surveys
Police Scotland are running two surveys as follows:
Truth About Youth 2025-26 Survey – This survey closes on 31 January 2026 and is open to everyone aged between 11 and 25 -
https://consult.scotland.police.uk/strategy-insight-and-innovation/truth-about-youth-2025-26-survey/
Your Police 2025-2026 – This survey is open till 31 March 2026 -
