Children in credit crunch concerns.

CHILDREN in Birmingham are becoming exposed to the credit crunch as the city's parents increasingly discuss financial concerns in the home.

The normally taboo subject of money is becoming a regular part of family conversations, with three quarters of parents in Birmingham saying it is now a more regular topic of discussion than it was 12 months ago.

At the same time, more than half of the city's mums and dads (57 per cent) think they will expose their children to more money concerns in the future.

The findings are revealed in research carried out by the charity pfeg (personal finance education group) to coincide with the launch of My Money, an pounds 11.5 million investment in the delivery of financial education in schools, by Children's Secretary Ed Balls.

The programme aims to increase both the quality and quantity of money lessons in schools so children are more financially adept in adult life.

The My Money research also showed that 44 per cent of parents in Birmingham believe working in partnership with schools is the best way to deliver financial education.

To help parents tackle the more difficult financial questions their children might ask, My Money will also provide parental guides for use in the home.