Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Finance For All - conference addresses changing financial inclusion agenda

by Ethos public relations

The Northern Money Conference is taking place on 1 March with an even broader programme tackling financial exclusion faced by people on low and moderate incomes.

This year, the conference is broadening its focus from the financial inclusion agenda alone to highlight the financial problems currently facing those on both low and moderate incomes, as a result of the credit crunch which has significantly changed the landscape of financial services.

The conference is jointly organised by the Association of British Credit Unions Limited (ABCUL), the Research Unit for Financial Inclusion at Liverpool John Moores University and Citizens Advice, and is supported by The Co-operative Bank.

As part of its co-operative heritage, The Co-operative Bank has a commitment to tackling financial inclusion and its support for credit unions is one of a number of initiatives in which it is involved.

Mark Lyonette, Chief Executive of ABCUL, said: "No conference at this time could ignore the changing political environment and its potential impact on organisations and services endeavouring to serve low-income communities.

"This partnership between a bank, the credit union movement, the advice sector and a university reflects the approach taken by the conference: promoting financial inclusion depends on Government and the private, voluntary and third sector acting collaboratively."

The conference is for all organisations and agencies with an interest in and commitment to tackling financial exclusion in Britain. These include regional and municipal authorities, government agencies, banks, credit unions and other financial institutions, money advice agencies, social landlords, community organisations and associations, churches, agencies working with young people and families.

Confirmed speakers this year include: Helen Goodman MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Work and Pensions; Mark Hoban MP, Shadow Financial Secretary to Treasury; Graham Leftwich, Business Leader Corporate Communications, Co-operative Financial Services; Paul A Jones, Research Unit for Financial Inclusion, Liverpool John Moores University and Mark Lyonette of ABCUL.

The conference takes place at the Contemporary Urban Centre (CUC), Liverpool.

Places are limited so for more information about the conference and how to book your place please visit www.abculelearning.coop and select 'Events and Conferences'.

If you have any questions regarding the event please contact ABCUL Conferences either by email at conferences@abcul.org or call 0161 832 3694.

Posted at 11^th February 2010