A survey* of 1,001 young people aged seven to 16 found less than half (43%) worried about personal finance. The Department for Education says it is considering making finance lessons mandatory as part of a wider review.

The study was commissioned by the charities National Children’s Bureau (NCB) and Personal Finance Education Group (PFEG). It also found nearly one in eight (12%) had borrowed money from family or friends they could not afford to repay.

Of those surveyed, 84% felt their school did not do enough to teach them about money matters and 96% believed that every school pupil should be taught to manage their finances.

Tracey Bleakley, chief executive of PFEG, said:

"It is crucial that we get young people actively involved in the campaign for financial education and it’s great to see their enthusiasm and ideas having a real impact on what we are trying to do."

Bleakley is one of several speakers at CitizenCard's Party Conference Fringe Meetings which will address the issue of 'Teenagers, Money and Safe Spending'.  Other speakers include Philippe Hardy, Director of White Eagle and Jaine Chisholm Caunt, Director of CitizenCard & the TMA:

• MPs Mark Williams & Mike Crockart chair the Liberal Democrat CitizenCard fringe meeting on Monday 24th September, 1-2pm at Regency Restaurant, 131 Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2HH;
• MPs Luciana Berger and Lisa Nandy chair the Labour CitizenCard fringe meeting on Monday 1st October, 12.45–1.45 at Gio’s Restaurant, 3-7 Lower Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3WS; 
• MP Stuart Andrew will chair the Conservative CitizenCard fringe meeting on Monday 8th October, 12.45-1.45, Bank Restaurant, 4 Brindley Place, Birmingham B1 2JB;
• A Scottish National Party fringe meeting takes place on Friday 19th October, 5.30–6.30pm at the Salutation Hotel, 34 South Street, Perth PH2 8PH.

Admission to all meetings is free of charge with food and drink included plus the chance to obtain a Visa Prepaid CitizenCard free of charge.

If you wish to attend one of the meetings please email your name, address and mobile no. [email protected] to obtain a free ticket (specify which event you wish to attend).

*The research by the charities has been released to mark the launch of Our Money, Our Future, a toolkit developed by young people to help children campaign for personal finance education to be taught in their school.