Financial education should be a standalone subject

clock

The Conservatives have suggested financial education is taught as a standalone subject to 11-18 year olds, rather than bolted onto GCSE maths, while making more use of IFAs.

Speaking at the Conservative Party Debt Summit, Shadow Chancellor George Osborne says the government should be doing much more to promote financial literacy teaching in schools. He states: “The government has recently pledged to introduce financial literacy to the GCSE maths curriculum. After nine years, this is at least a step in the right direction. But as the ifs School of Finance has pointed out, that could equate to less than four hours a year over two years – far too little to make a real impact on behaviour.” Osborne says he wants financial literacy to be taught to all 11-18 ye...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Advertising watchdog upholds complaints against whiskey investment business

Advertising watchdog upholds complaints against whiskey investment business

Advertising watchdog upholds complaints against Whiskey & Wealth Club

Sahar Nazir
clock 21 January 2026 • 2 min read
FOS leadership changes show reforms 'are serious'

FOS leadership changes show reforms 'are serious'

2026 will be a ‘year of material change’ at the Ombudsman

Isabel Baxter
clock 21 January 2026 • 3 min read
Private markets growth to have 'profound' impact on client portfolios

Private markets growth to have 'profound' impact on client portfolios

Schroders’ Lowe points to ‘super-cycle’

Isabel Baxter
clock 21 January 2026 • 2 min read