Citizens Advice backs finance lessons in school

The national charity Citizens Advice has welcomed plans that will see schoolchildren aged 11 to 16 around the UK taught how to manage their money.

It is hoped that the “economic wellbeing and financial capability” lessons will lead to a reduction in the number of British adults who find themselves dealing with debt management difficulties.

The charity is convinced that if children are given access to these kinds of lessons in schools, they will engage with the subject and stand a better chance of dealing with money problems more effectively.

A spokesperson for Citizens Advice said: “We very much welcome the move to improve people’s skills in personal finance, because we know that a lot of debt problems are caused, at least in part, by a lack of understanding and a lack of confidence in dealing with money matters.”

More than 1.4 million people approached Citizens Advice about debt issues over the course of last year, according to the organisation’s own figures.