STUNELL URGES LOCAL SCHOOLS TO ENTER WRITING COMPETITION

3.13.00pm GMT Fri 14th Nov 2008

Local MP Andrew Stunell has today written to the local secondary schools in his constituency to encourage them to take part in a thought provoking national writing competition for young people.

The annual competition is run by the financial education charity ifs Schools of Finance. Open to any UK resident aged between 14 and 19, this year's challenge is to write a 1,000 word article with the headline "Should Government encourage home ownership?"

The competition will be judged by Peter Taylor, City Correspondent for the Daily Telegraph, who will award marks for demonstrating research, evaluation, analysis and written argument skills, as well as overall reporting skills.

In addition to becoming the "ifs Young Business Writer of the Year", the winner of the competition will also receive a £500 cash prize.

Commenting, Andrew said:

"This is a great opportunity for youngsters to get involved in a competition that will improve their writing skills, and be fun at the same time.

"Financial issues are hugely important, particularly given the current economic climate, and this year's title really gives a chance for students to have their own say on one of the key questions of the day.

"Today's students will be tomorrow's journalists, business writers, and even politicians, so it's vital to get them involved in debating the important issues. I hope that young people in Stockport will take up the challenge, and I wish them every success."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1). Anyone aged between 14 and 19 who wishes to enter the competition simply has to e-mail their article (which must not exceed 1,000 words) to ybwy@ifslearning.ac.uk between now and the competition closing date of Monday 26 January 2009.

2). The ifs School of Finance, founded in 1879, is a registered charity incorporated by Royal Charter. The ifs School of Finance is currently the only provider of QCA accredited GCSE, AS and A level equivalent qualifications in personal finance and also operates the ifs Student Investor, a national investment competition for 14-19 year olds that attracts over 30,000 teenage participants every year.

3). For more information on the competition itself, please visit www.financialcapability.co.uk, or contact Phil Hall (Head of Media, Public Affairs & ifs ProShare at the ifs School of Finance) on 07813 00 4414 or via e-mail at: phall@ifslearning.ac.uk