As we wrap up our second year, we wanted to take the opportunity to look back on some of the key highlights that have made 2022 a standout success for Plain Numbers.

While it’s focussed on numbers, the Plain Numbers methodology goes far beyond just that.

It teaches you a different way of approaching the content and design of all your communications, and gives you the skills to make sure every customer can understand everything that matters to them.

And with the new Consumer Duty rules, that’s more important than ever.

Jaja Finance, a digital lender, has become the UK’s first credit card provider to partner with Plain Numbers.

The partnership aims to help its customers better understand their credit card bills and make informed spending decisions.

PayCaptain has become the first ever payroll provider to partner with Plain Numbers – in a programme which will give thousands of workers the confidence to understand their payslips.

The West Brom has become the first building society in the country to become a Plain Numbers Partner.

The three-year partnership will support the team at the West Brom to improve consumer communications so that more people can understand information and make informed choices.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published guidance to enable firms to comply with new Consumer Duty rules. These new rules set higher expectations for the standard of care firms give consumers by requiring firms to “act to deliver good outcomes for retail customers”.

We are pleased to see that the FCA cited Plain Numbers as an example of a way to do this.

Free debt advice provider PayPlan is continuing to improve its service after a number of staff completed a training course dedicated to helping customers who struggle with numbers and data.

Plain Numbers launched on July 1st 2021 with an event at the Bank of England, which showcased our initial trials research. Plan Numbers has grown into a dynamic and innovative organisation in the year since then.

We’re here to enable firms across all sectors to communicate numbers and data clearly and fairly and thereby support their customers to make informed decisions – and we are delighted to have made a such a strong start in our first year working towards this mission.

With very high inflation and many people struggling to meet the cost of living, it’s more important than ever that people feel able to make informed decisions with their money. Those decisions will now come with an extra layer of anxiety and stress for many who are trying to make ends meet.

A Plain Numbers Approach is vital for allowing consumers to make decisions that work best for them.

We were delighted to join this years Building Societies Association Annual Conference in Liverpool on May 5th for a panel discussion on a New Consumer Duty.

Ben Perkins our Head of Operations joined the panel to give insights to members on how they can meet their obligations around communications and consumer comprehension.

We are pleased to support Plain Numbers and we have been a partner since the campaign was launched in December 2020. It’s important for organisations to communicate numerical information as clearly and accessibly as they can. It allows people to make more informed choices and to participate confidently in the wider economy.

Ben Perkins, our Head of Operations, has years of experience working with people with low confidence in their numeracy skills and maths anxiety. In this blog he sheds light on what that means and how it can impact consumers.

We are delighted that The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has announced that they have joined forces with Plain Numbers as an Advisory Partner

This January we launched a brand-new programme of workshops to help people become Plain Numbers Champions.

2021 was a great year for Plain Numbers. Find out more about our highlights.

On December 7th 2021, the Financial Conduct Authority published an update to its plans for a new consumer duty. The new proposals set a higher expectation for the care firms provide for their customers, including around their communications

We are excited to be working in partnership with the Building Societies Association to ensure numbers are communicated more clearly

Plain Numbers is a social enterprise; we exist to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

New research released at the Bank of England today reveals that adopting a ‘Plain Numbers Approach’ doubled the number of people who understood customer information

Mike’s response to the FCA Vulnerable Customer Guidance Consultation in September 2020.