Chloe SmithMP for Norwich North
Chloe SmithChloe Smith MP today called for organisations and individuals to come forward with views on financial advice and information for households.
Chloe is working with Norwich and West Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau and the National Skills Academy in Financial Services (City College Norwich) to gather local views on what works, what could be improved and what is needed at the front line in Norwich to help people take a responsible approach to personal finance.
New minister Mark Hoban MP set out his vision for information and advice in July this year. He is "over the summer... taking a good look across Government at the support we currently provide for debt advice as a part of the Spending Review (CSR)." He sets out:
"First, we will improve the advice available to families on how to manage and plan their finances. Second, we will work to improve families' access to straightforward products which do what they say on the tin. And third, once families know what to look out for and how to make sense of what's on offer, we will make sure that better information is out there on which to base financial choices." http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_26_10.htm (14/7/10)
Chloe comments:
"As a local MP, I want to understand what people's views and experiences in and around Norwich. I regularly work with people who run vital information services in the city, such as the CAB, and have recently visited local credit unions and community organisations who help people on a micro-scale. National and personal debt were top factors in the recession and it is hard to rebuild the economy without some help for people to get good financial information and advice at a household level as well as a business level. I would very much like to hear from more organisations or individuals about the importance in and around our city of sound financial information and advice."
Chloe will be holding a discussion forum later in September with representatives from a range of local organisations.