Policy & advocacy

Contributing to and driving healthy financial habits from an early age. 

What we want: Guarantee every young person aged 4 to18 receives direct financial education. Support state and academy schools to fully integrate financial education into their curriculum and include it as an assessed subject at age 11 and up. 

Why it matters: Habits start forming young – as early as age 7 – yet 61% of young people do not recall any financial education at school. Without these skills, too many enter adulthood ill-equipped to manage their money, worsening inequality and limiting opportunity. 

How government can act: Use the Curriculum and Assessment Review and the Children’s Wellbeing Bill to embed financial education as a core requirement in all schools, emphasising practical knowledge and real-world application. Make financial capability a tracked and assessable part of the school inspection framework, so schools are accountable for preparing every child for financial independence, no matter their background. 

Enabling consumers to access financial education when they need it most. 

What we want: Mandate that consumer-facing financial products, such as credit-cards and loans, and financial services, including banking and investment services, provide access to impartial ‘micro’ financial education at key moments in the customer journey as part of Consumer Duty requirements. 

Why it matters:  To participate fully in the economy, people need ongoing, accessible financial guidance when making decisions about salaries, savings, credit, insurance, pensions, and more. This would also increase trust in financial services by ensuring customers truly understand the products they use. 

How government can act: Strengthen the UK Financial Inclusion Strategy to require financial services providers to embed impartial education alongside their products and services. Work with trusted partners like Money Ready to co-create content that is accessible, unbiased, and timed to reach people when they most need it, from opening a bank account to applying for a mortgage. 

Tackling inequality by fighting for financial fluency for those who need it most. 

What we want: Establish a Care Leavers Guarantee that supplements existing support such as the Care Leaver Covenant and includes universal access to tailored financial education, delivered consistently as part of transition pathways into independent living. 

Why it matters: Care-experienced young people often lack the safety net of family support. While some schemes exist, provision is patchy, inconsistent, and too often focused on financial handouts without the education needed to use them well. Without change, care leavers remain at a higher risk of debt, exploitation, and financial exclusion. 

How government can act: Create a national framework that requires all local authorities to provide consistent, high-quality financial education and support for care leavers as part of the Care Leaver Covenant. Hold authorities accountable for delivery and ensure that practical money skills are embedded alongside financial support so that care leavers can build independence, resilience, and long-term security.