On the 10th December 2009 the National Consumer Federation successfully revived the Consumer Congress to address the issue of the moment.  This was the first time consumers and their representatives from across the spectrum had been given their chance to discuss the effects of the credit crunch and its aftermath. And it is the first time they had been given a voice in determining the way forward.

As a result we have formulated a Consumer Manifesto on financial services for the 2010 election. 

Afterwards we set up an NCF Fairness in Finance group to progress the Congress outcomes.

The day was informed by keynote speakers and through breakout sessions delegates had the opportunity to put forward their views with the aim of developing proposals and recommendations to submit to government and relevant organisations. 

Kevin Brennan MP in his opening keynote speech took the opportunity to announce additional funding for the Citizens' Advice Bureau supporting consumers affected by the credit crunch.

BIS press announcement.

The NCF, acting as an umbrella organisation and via its new website, will continue to channel these views and policy discussions and will assist in developing policies which will strengthen the position of consumers without jeopardising business growth. 

The keynote speeches were recorded and  are being transcribed to be available to members and participants in the Congress.  

Speakers were :

The key themes for the breakouts were : 

• The behaviour of financial institutions
• Transparency and financial literacy
• Regulation
• Picking up the pieces
• Specific solutions

Documents of interest to the Congress Themes are provided on the Congress Documents page.

Transcripts of the speeches can be found on the Speeches page.

The attached pdf revisits the outcomes and records our progress over the year since the Congress.

Sponsors of the 2009 Consumer Congress on the Credit Crunch