The Future of Financial Inclusion and Money Advice Conference, 20 July 2011, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Birmingham NEC
Fees range from £55 – £100 +VAT

Early booking discount now available until 17 June

You can book by credit card, request an invoice or complete a booking form.

These are uncertain times for organisations involved in the design and delivery of financial inclusion and debt advice services. Spending reductions at both the national and local levels run the risk of undermining previous work to improve levels of financial inclusion and, together with increasing demand for debt advice, require us to rethink how we support households in financial difficulties.

Taking forwards financial inclusion

Although the Financial Inclusion Taskforce was disbanded at the end of March, Government has indicated that it remains committed to the financial inclusion agenda, and has announced additional resources to support credit union and CDFI development. It has also signalled its intention to improve the links between affordable credit provision and the post office network and to provide opportunities for credit unions to expand their membership and build assets. Further to this, Department for Work and Pensions is planning to localise elements of the Social Fund from April 2013, which could provide opportunities to improve the links between the remaining budget and debt advice and affordable credit provision. Moving forwards, the Big Society Bank, Work Programme, and Housing providers will also have important roles to play.

What will debt advice provision look like?

Government’s announcement to provide a temporary reprieve for face to face debt advice previously funded by the Financial Inclusion Fund is also welcome. However, proposed reductions in the scope of legal aid, combined with cuts to many local authority advice service budgets, places some provision in jeopardy. A sustainable framework for debt advice provision is urgently required. But the problems extend beyond funding alone. Increased numbers of credit defaults, mortgage repossessions and insolvencies, have highlighted the need to improve the way that our fragmented system, which includes both commercial and not for profit provision, operates. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is shortly expected to publish proposals concerning the future of debt advice and insolvency systems and the role of the new Money Advice Service (formerly the Consumer Financial Education Body) launched on 4th April will also be crucial.

Join the debate

This one day conference will provide an opportunity to discuss the challenges that we now face and will help organisations to develop their responses. Participating organisations include:

• Money Advice Trust
• A4e
• The Money Advice Service (formerly the Consumer Financial Education Body)
• Transact - the national forum for financial inclusion
• Community Development Finance Association
• Association of British Credit Unions Limited
• Centre on Household Assets and Savings Management, University of Birmingham

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