On 28 June 2011 the APPG on Debt and Personal Finance held its annual Financial Fair and reception. The theme of this year’s event, which was sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group was “Financial Inclusion and Education for Young People. The Financial Fair provided an opportunity for MPs and peers to chat to affiliate members of the group, including representatives from the banking, lending and consumer advice sectors, regarding how young people can be supported and empowered to make positive financial decisions. ABCUL, Experian, the Consumer Credit Counselling Service, PFEG, UK Payments and Citizens Advice exhibited literature highlighting their work with young people.

Yvonne Fovargue, Chair of the APPG on Debt and Personal Finance hosted the event, welcoming Dominic Morris CBE, Group Public Affairs Director at Lloyds Banking Group and Teresa Perchard, Public Policy Director at Citizens Advice as speakers. She highlighted the importance of financial education for young people, but also the need to regulate the consumer credit market so that young people are not exploited and the importance of safeguarding free debt advice services for the next generation.