NatWest has unveiled plans to offer free financial guidance to people through its branches regardless of whether or not they are customers of the bank.

The bank’s MoneySense programme will give people access to advisers in 1,000 of its branches.

The advisers have been trained by independent debt charity the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) and their service is not linked to the sale of products. Instead they will offer guidance on budgeting, helping people prioritise their outgoings, helping people create savings plans and giving general guidance on how financial products work.

The group, which is part of Royal Bank of Scotland, believes it is the first high street bank to offer free impartial advice to anyone, including customers with other banks and people without a bank account.