Arun students take part in financial education inquiry

Five members of the Arun Youth Council were part of a delegation of young people taking their plea to Westminster.

It followed a passionate debate in June, hosted by the youth council inside the Arun District Council chamber, when more than 200 primary school children backed the idea that more should be done to teach youngsters about money, from an early age.

The trip to the Houses of Parliament by the five-strong youth council delegation was part of the national Get Money Savvy campaign.

All five gave speeches outlining their proposals during an All Party Parliamentary Group debate.

It was Alex Harman’s first duty as the new youth council chairman.

Alex, 17, said: “It was a bit daunting. There was a lot of pressure to get it right.

“But I feel that everyone on the youth council did really well.

“The MPs were stunned at just how much research we had done in preparation.

“I think a better system of financial education is essential.

“Money is such a vital part of everyday life; we have it on the news, at work and on the street, we can’t rely on parents to teach it. It needs dedicated specialists.”

The Get Money Savvy campaign is being led by the charity Personal Finance and Education Group, which works with young people to improve financial education.

Former youth council chairman Katie Emms, 17, added: “There were conflicting views as to whether it should be a lesson in its own right.

“The MPs argued that it should be part of citizenship lessons.

“But after I got home I had a tweet from one of the MPs saying that they were really pleased with the council and that they’d further the fight for finance education.”