What plans it has to promote Credit Unions across Scotland.

We are keen to address financial exclusion by a variety of means and we are interested in credit unions as a possible vehicle to improving access to financial services. We are tracking the Taskforce on credit unions and we are keen to see how we can act on its recommendations. I will be meeting with the Chair of the Taskforce, Fred Goodwin in the near future. The Social Inclusion Network action team looking at the impact of local anti poverty action, including the activities of credit unions, will be reporting very shortly with ideas for the way ahead. We recognise that while there are many successful credit unions in Scotland more needs to be done if the movement is to grow significantly.