Merlyn Holkar

Senior Research Officer

Merlyn joined Money and Mental Health from Contact a Family, where he worked in the Policy and Campaigns department. At Contact a Family, Merlyn’s role involved research, policy analysis and supporter engagement, particularly focusing on tax credit regulations, childcare and respite care. Merlyn holds a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Warwick University, his research interests include: mental health and free will, behavioural nudges in personal finances and the impact of devolution on mental health services and health and social care integration. @ItsMerlyn

Policy notes and publications

• Help Along the Way July 21, 2020 - Exploring the challenges that people with mental health problems face when accessing free debt advice.
• Data protecting October 22, 2019 - Using financial data to support customers
• Access essentials July 3, 2018 -
• Informal borrowing and mental health problems May 10, 2018 -

• FCA guidance on temporary financial relief for customers impacted by coronavirus April 8, 2020 -
• Advancing our health: prevention in the 2020s October 14, 2019 - Merlyn Holkar, Senior Research Officer, Money and Mental Health Cabinet Office and Department of Health […]
• Draft Guidance for firms on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers October 11, 2019 - Katie Alpin, Head of Research and Policy, and Merlyn Holkar, Senior Research Officer, Money and […]
• Improving outcomes for consumers who self-disconnect and self-ration October 9, 2019 - Merlyn Holkar, Senior Research Officer, Money and Mental Health 20 September 2019 Ofgem Consultation: Proposals […]

Recent blogs

• The FCA calls on firms to improve support for vulnerable customers July 23, 2019 -
• Insuring a fair deal for people with mental health problems June 4, 2019 -
• Money and mental health March 29, 2019 -
• Financial difficulties and suicide: taking a closer look at the numbers February 6, 2019 -