Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Financial Capability Survey is a nationally representative survey of UK residents, commissioned initially in 2005 by the Financial Services Authority and then from 2015 onwards by the Money and Pensions Service (formerly the Money Advice Service), to support the development and delivery of the Financial Capability Strategy for the UK. 

The Financial Capability Baseline Survey, 2005 was commissioned by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to provide a baseline measure of the levels of financial capability in the United Kingdom. The survey was able to identify people's relative strengths and weaknesses across five financial capability 'domains'. Findings from the survey were used to describe the types of people most likely to display higher or lower levels of financial capability and provide a deep insight into consumer financial behaviour and attitudes. A later study updates the evidence base established in this survey - the Financial Capability Survey, 2015, held under SN 8184. The questionnaire and methodology have been modified since the 2005 study, so there is limited scope for comparisons over time. The latest survey in the series is the Financial Capability Survey, 2018, held under SN 8454.

Main Topics:

Topics covered in the questionnaire include money management (making ends meet and keeping track of finances), forward planning, financial and product choices, mortgages, insurance and protection, savings, investments, credit cards, loans, financial advice and help, knowledge of money matters, and demographic information.

Quota sample

Face-to-face interview