Freedom Finance, one of the UK’s leading digital lending marketplaces, is renewing its partnership with independent, award-winning think tank the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) until 2025. 

The extended relationship will see Freedom Finance support, among other issues, the CSJ’s work investigating the relationship between access to credit, illegal lending and debt advice. Freedom  Finance’s Chairperson, Brian Brodie, already sits on the Advisory Board for the think tank’s Debt Unit.  

Last year, the CSJ and Freedom Finance partnered to publish the first detailed investigation into the scourge of illegal money lending in a decade. The Swimming with Sharks* report revealed that as many as 1.08 million people in England could be indebted to a ‘loan shark’, and it highlighted the devastating impacts of ‘hidden debt’ as well as those who feel locked out of the mainstream credit market. 

This eye-opening report has been followed by several investigations around the shadowy fringes of the consumer credit market, poverty credit premiums and research into instituting financial education into the national curriculum. 

Founded in 2004 by former Conservative Party Leader, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the CSJ focuses on the root causes of poverty with the aim of promoting the interests and opportunities of those from the poorest and most disadvantaged backgrounds in Britain. Their work covers areas such as debt,  education provision, housing welfare, and employment.  

Brian Brodie, Chairperson of Freedom Finance, commented: “We are delighted to be renewing our  partnership with the Centre for Social Justice and will endeavour to continue increasing the visibility of  those who fall victim to the inaccessibility of credit.”  

Emma Steeley, CEO of Freedom Finance, added: “We value the CSJ’s work and look forward to  collaborating with them further to discover ways to better use technology and data to help the financial  services industry ease the pressure on household budgets in a safe and affordable way.” 

Matthew Greenwood, Head of Debt at The CSJ, said: “As Britain continues to endure high inflation,  we know it is those at the very bottom who are at the sharpest end of the cost of living crisis. We are excited to drive forward our mission to expand financial inclusion and provide a pathway out of problem debt. Support from organisations like Freedom Finance is essential to allow us to keep  working with industry and charities to support the UK’s poorest and most disadvantaged households.”