An increasing number of British households are in extremely poor financial health: either highly indebted, lacking adequate savings, or both. The combination of a continued squeeze on real wages; Government’s programme of welfare cuts and more precarious employment is driving many to take out credit – often at very high cost. Others are turning to food banks and charities for help to make ends meet or to fund the purchase of basic household items.

Whilst credit unions and other non-profit lenders offer affordable credit to some people on low incomes, these have struggled to get to scale. In any event, they are not a suitable option for people who are already experiencing debt problems or are on very low incomes.

New models of delivery are needed. So too, are affordable financial products and services that have the flexible features that low to middle income households value. This conference will generate the ideas and energy needed to radically improve financial health outcomes and will showcase the very best new approaches in service and product design.