Last week, the Centre on Household Assets and Savings Management (CHASM) hosted a successful Annual Conference in London, convening a diverse audience of academics, policymakers, regulators, financial services organisations and third sector representatives. The event explored the timely and critical theme of ‘Contemporary Risks to Household Financial Security’, fostering cross-sector collaboration, meaningful discussion and knowledge exchange.
The conference addressed a central challenge of our time: as responsibility for financial security has increasingly shifted from collective institutions to individuals and households, financial lives have grown more complex and uncertain. Against a backdrop of wage stagnation, rising interest rates and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the need to better understand and respond to financial insecurity has never been more urgent.
The event featured an excellent line-up of keynote speakers who provided fresh insights into the evolving risks facing households. Matthew Soursourian (OECD) presented on The Consumer Finance Risk Monitor 2026, offering an international perspective on emerging vulnerabilities in consumer finance. Abigail McKnight (LSE) examined the interconnections between financial insecurity and broader forms of instability, including housing, work, health and care. Conor Nakkan (Intergenerational Foundation) brought the day to a close with reflections on the themes discussed, and the distribution of financial pressures across generations.
Alongside these keynotes, CHASM researchers showcased their latest work. Louise Overton, Adele Atkinson, Mhairi Webster, Kristian Fuzi, Maxine Watkins and Carl Packman presented research on a range of issues affecting low- and middle-income households today, including precarious employment, problem debt, housing pressures, mental health challenges and the growing impact of unpaid care responsibilities.
Together, these contributions highlighted the multifaceted nature of financial insecurity and the importance of joined-up approaches to policy and practice. The conference provided a valuable platform for exploring how these challenges are experienced in everyday life and for identifying potential pathways forward.
CHASM extends its sincere thanks to all speakers, participants and attendees who contributed to making the conference such a success.
