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RBS has commissioned an independent five-year research study, The MoneySense Research Panel, each year surveying over 8,000 young people aged 12-19 in schools across Great Britain. This is the largest ever study undertaken to track young people's attitudes towards money, and RBS believes that the research will increasingly inform educational policy in this area.

Members of the panel complete several quick online surveys each year. Their views about money and their future plans help us to explore:

• how young people spend and manage their money
• the importance of saving
• opinions on borrowing money
• knowledge of budgeting
• confidence in dealing with financial organisations
• hopes and aspirations for independent living and earnings
• the financial decisions they may have to make in the future

In return they have the chance to have their say and influence how financial topics are taught in schools, making sure they're relevant and give them all the information they'll need when they leave school.

The MoneySense panel is part of the MoneySense programme. The findings of the research inform the development of the MoneySense for Schools programme to ensure it effectively focuses on areas of greatest need. There is evidence that financial education programmes have positively affected attitudes and knowledge, but there is still some way to go.