Government to offer free personal finance advice

Consumers struggling to manage their personal finances can now turn to the government for a helping hand, the Treasury said on Monday.

The government and Financial Services Authority are developing wide-ranging Internet and telephone advice services for money dilemmas from mortgages to gas bills and a specific service to be launched next year for the northern regions.

Children will also be a key focus, the Treasury said, with more support for personal finance education in schools.

"Many families are feeling the pinch as a result of high fuel and food prices, and the impact of the credit crunch on mortgage lending," said Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper.

"But when people are facing money worries they often don't know where to turn. We need to make it much easier for people to get access to information."