UKAR ARena Issue 7: Winter 2013 | Page 15

“We want to see consistency between different debt remedies and debt management tools and the way to achieve that is by making advice mandatory across all areas. There will also be one common financial tool to assess a debtor’s ability to pay - something we welcome. Having one tool provides consistency and hopefully more equality of approach when determining levels of contributions. “With regard to the length of payments in sequestration we believe four years is too long and for some of the debtors the payments would be unsustainable, which could have a detrimental impact on people longer term.” New Ways of Working “The Bill brings a new emphasis on more efficient working, streamlining the processes for creditors and debtors. So applications will be made to the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AIB) and are likely to be online. “The AIB has also been awarded the power to review decisions before appeal to the Sheriff Court and can transfer debtors across to different debt solutions.” Profile Money Advice Scotland (MAS) is a national umbrella organisation promoting the development of free, independent and confidential debt advice and financial inclusion. Established in 1989, the organisation is a registered charity, with clear charitable objectives. I