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Debt Awareness Week 2026

FREE, INDEPENDENT, IMPARTIAL & CONFIDENTIAL. The Specialist Money Advice Service is here to help you with your money worries and more…

Back to The Budget Beat

The Specialist Money Advice Service

We understand that credit and debt are a normal part of life and almost everyone will need to rely on some form of borrowing at some stage of their life. 

We understand that for some, money, debt and finance can make them feel out of control and be overwhelming.  They feel trapped in a ‘debt spiral’ where one debt leads to another and another, they feel embarrassed and don’t know where to turn for advice or help. 

We understand the challenges of dealing with debt and financial pressures, often these are worse within a professional environment like policing due to a concern around stigma and need for confidentiality. 

Recognising the need for support

We recognised the challenges that people in policing were facing, the lack of access to independent and trusted financial advice services that understood policing and the unique challenges of the profession.  

We partnered with the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) and Citizens Advice Bureau Motherwell & Wishaw to create The Specialist Money Advice Service. 

The Specialist Money Advice Service is a FREE, independent, impartial, non-judgemental and confidential service that understands the challenges of policing and dealing with debt. It’s a holistic service that provides more than just financial support and guidance. 

The service can be used to explore options, including any benefits or support that maybe available to you.  

We're here to help

At SPCU, we are focused on providing support to our members and the police service, there are always solutions and options available in relation to managing finances and debt.

Research identified 11 barriers to seeking debt advice or help: 

  1. People feel too embarrassed and shameful 
  2. People find it too overwhelming 
  3. Low financial literacy and confidence 
  4. Debt is not always a priority problem 
  5. People do not identify with their debt 
  6. People think short term fixes work 
  7. People are not sure where to turn 
  8. People don’t understand or misunderstand what debt advice is 
  9. People think they’ll lose more than they gain 
  10. People cannot share all the financial information 
  11. People want to do it their way 

Don’t be embarrassed, don’t be overwhelmed, don’t go for the short-term fix (they usually cost more). Take control and speak to a trusted financial partner like StepChange or access our Specialist Money Advice Service.  

Accessing The Service

You can access this bespoke service by contacting the following:

For Referral:

Scottish Police Credit Union Ltd
Tel: 0141 771 1314
Email: customer.care@scottishpolicecu.co.uk

For Self-Referral:

Motherwell & Wishaw Citizen’s Advice Bureau
Tel: 07741 735 422
Email: SPCU@MotherwellCAB.casonline.org.uk

If you are a member of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), please contact your local representative who can refer you via SPCU, or contact CAB or SPCU directly through the details above.