View from Westminster - May 24, 2012 (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

• "Nice, safe-ish stuff. Loathe as I am to criticise but it is expected.....or so it seems from some quarters.....
  
  In the 1990's I had a job as a community worker funded by the EU through a co-op agency. Part of that role was to go into communities and schools to talk about financial awareness, money mamagment, financial prudence and alternatives to high street banks such as credit unions.
  
  It was a very successful project and some of those credit unions set up at that time (under a previous Tory Gvt) are still going strong. These were communities that banks had abandoned, there was high unemployment and poverty yet credit unions offered a lifeline, as did the project itself in demonstrating alternatives and the benefits of good financial management even in poverty, with no potential vested interest message from the financial sector.
  
  An approach like this would be much better in my opinion - especially as it was structured and properly funded. I do have a certain unease about financial advisors going into schools to talk about banks, the economy and good mangement of money etc - know what I mean?
  
  I would like to know what Mr Garnier means when he talks about getting it in the curriculum? This is something that should start in primary school, and it can, if done in the right way like many projects of the early 90's did. It is stuff that should be taught by educational experts, trained teachers or qualified community workers in that field to get the right positive message across.
  
  On the whole, Mark is right in his view on proper financial education but I have reservations about the methodology and who does it."
• * Your name This field is mandatory
• * Your email This field is mandatory
• Reason

  Please note we will not accept reports with HTML tags or URLs in them.

• 
  Enter the above word in the box below
  
  

Please be fair, courteous and respectful to the views of others so we can build a vibrant community in a safe online environment. You are personal liable for your comments and action will be taken against anyone who offends, ridicules or posts malicious and damaging views. If you wish to complain, please contact us.