BID TO MAKE KEY FINANCIAL ADVICE AVAILABLE TO POORER HOUSEHOLDS

26 September 2005

MPs will hear how poorer households can benefit from essential financial services at a breakfast meeting during the Labour Party Conference, on Tuesday 27 September, at 8am.

Recent figures show that nearly 9% of households have no bank or building society account and up to 23% have no current account, highlighting why those in most need of financial advice and services may have the least access to them.

Ivan Lewis MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, will tell delegates why those on low incomes suffer needlessly from exclusion from financial advice and services and how public policy could be used to raise the standard of living for individuals and create a more inclusive society.

Other speakers on the panel:

• Brian Pomeroy, Chair, Treasury Working Group on Financial Inclusion
  
• Martin Hall, Director General, Finance & Leasing Association
  
• Ed Mayo, Chief Executive, National Consumer Council
  
• Liam Halligan, Economics Editor, Channel 4 News (Chair)

Presented by the independent think-tank, the Social Market Foundation, supported by FLA (Finance & Leasing Association) and in partnership with the National Consumer Council, the meeting has been called to highlight the inequalities of financial provision for the less well-off – often those who also lack financial information. It will be held from 8am-9am in the Sandringham Room at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Brighton.