Supporting Money Ready’s “The Cost of Not Knowing” Research and Campaign

New UK research highlights the real, long-term impact of financial education gaps.

We’re proud to support Money Ready’s call for lifelong, inclusive financial education.

Our partner Money Ready has launched The Cost of Not Knowing - a new flagship research report and campaign examining the financial, emotional, and societal impact of financial education gaps across the UK.

We strongly support its findings and its call for systemic change, and have signed Money Ready’s open letter urging policymakers to make financial education lifelong, inclusive, and embedded across public services.

What The Research Found

The report draws on a nationwide survey of 3,000 UK adults and sets out the hidden costs of financial confusion.

On average, UK adults lose over £640 every year due to delayed or misinterpreted financial decisions.

Over time, those small decisions add up - more than £18,000 across several decades that could otherwise support savings, security, and long-term resilience.

While many people feel confident managing their money, the research shows persistent misunderstandings around debt, credit scores, pensions, and long-term planning.

Just as importantly, the report links financial confusion with its impact on wellbeing.

Almost four in ten adults report feeling anxious about money, with knock-on effects on sleep, relationships, and decision-making.

Why This Matters Beyond Personal Finances

The research makes a clear case that financial education is not just a personal issue.

When people lack the knowledge or confidence to engage with financial systems, participation drops, inequality grows, and trust erodes.

This has implications for the wider economy, particularly as the UK looks to encourage saving, investing, and long-term financial resilience.

Money Ready’s campaign frames financial literacy as infrastructure - something that needs to be built into systems, services, and life stages.

"We rely on financial literacy every day, often without realising it. Yet too often, people aren’t taught how the system works.

Early and consistent teaching throughout key life stages doesn’t just prevent costly mistakes, it empowers people to build healthy habits, make confident choices, and strengthen long-term stability."

Leon Ward, CEO, Money Ready

Our Partnership With Money Ready

Beyond Encryption has worked closely with Money Ready over the past year, particularly around the role of financial education in trusted digital services.

Money Ready supported the development of the financial education features within our Nigel platform as part of the Smart Data Challenge.

That work helped shape how Nigel presents sensitive financial information in a way that is accessible, calm, and confidence-building for users.

We were proud to be named runner-up in the Smart Data Challenge at the end of last year, recognising the importance of combining secure digital infrastructure with meaningful education and understanding.

While our work focuses on secure digital communication and identity, the principles are closely aligned.

Trust depends not just on technology, but on people understanding the information they receive and feeling confident acting on it.

Why We’re Supporting The Campaign

We believe financial education and secure digital communication are deeply connected.

People are increasingly expected to manage complex financial decisions through digital channels.

Without the right knowledge, those channels can become sources of anxiety rather than empowerment.

Money Ready’s campaign reinforces a message we see every day in regulated communications - clarity, confidence, and trust are inseparable.

"Trust in financial services doesn’t come from technology alone. It comes from people understanding the information they’re given and feeling confident acting on it. The Cost of Not Knowing report highlights why education is a critical part of building that trust, especially as more financial decisions move into digital channels."

Paul Holland, CEO, Beyond Encryption

Looking Ahead

The Cost of Not Knowing campaign is a reminder that progress depends on collaboration.

Education providers, technology partners, policymakers, and service organisations all have a role to play.

We’re pleased to stand alongside Money Ready in calling for a fairer, more inclusive approach to financial education, and we look forward to continuing our partnership as this conversation develops.

References

The Cost of Not Knowing, Money Ready, January 2026

Reviewed by

Sam Kendall, 29.01.2026