Calls to help disadvantaged lacking financial know-how

LARGE parts of the Scottish population including young people and the unemployed lack "financial know-how", according to city scientists.

Research from Edinburgh Napier University's Employment Research Institute shows the Scots most likely to have problems in managing their money are younger people, those on low incomes, those with children and those with poor levels of education, literacy and numeracy.

Professor Ronald McQuaid, director of the institute, said: "The ability for individuals to manage their money or not has a knock-on effect on the wider economy.

"In the current economic environment particularly, improving financial capability requires co-ordinated action by the government, community planning partnerships, and private and third sector bodies.

"Those disadvantaged groups who are financially incapable, and likely to suffer significant negative consequences when things go wrong, need particular support."