21st February 2011

Scottish Provident: Help protect your client's standard of living

Scottish Provident needs you. Together we can help Britons strengthen their financial safety net.

Join our campaign

To encourage people to take stock of their financial security, Scottish Provident is campaigning for Britons to strengthen their financial safety net, and we are urging advisers to show support by signing up to our campaign. By joining you are not only helping to create awareness of protection with potential or existing clients, but you will be kept up to date with our latest research which could help when you are discussing protection cover.

Did you know that, based on our survey sample:

• Over 30 million* Britons believe their standard of living has fallen since 2007
• One third** of Britons predict their standard of living will decline over the next three years
• Around two** in three Britons rate broadband/internet as important for a reasonable standard of living - second behind having savings

These are the top findings from our most recent research which has created a storm in the media the length and breadth of the country. The continued interest emphasises the relevance of the findings and how important it is for you to be part of our campaign.

These findings can help you explain the need for protection to your clients. How would they pay for their broadband and other essentials of daily living if they could not work due to a critical illness or disability? The top ten essentials for a reasonable standard of living are listed below -some may surprise you.

Top ten items Britons consider as being important for a reasonable standard of living, overall and by age group based on our sample**:

Age group Ranking All Britons 18-34 years old 35-54 years old 55 years and older

1   To have savings (66%) Having broadband or the internet in the household (64%) To have savings (64%) To have savings (74%) 2 Having broadband or the internet in the household (62%) To have savings (59%) Having broadband or the internet in the household (60%) Owning your own home (65%) 3 Owning a car (59%) Owning a car (58%) Owning a car (57%) Having broadband or the internet in the household (63%) 4 Owning your  own home (54%) Owning your  own home (46%) Owning your  own home  (50%) Owning a car (61%) 5 Taking a foreign holiday at least once a year (36%) Taking a foreign holiday at least once a year (32%) Taking a foreign holiday at least once a year (37%) Taking a foreign holiday at least once a year (38%) 6 Having satellite or cable TV in the household (32%) Having satellite or cable TV in the household (29%) Having satellite or cable TV in the household (35%) Having satellite or cable TV in the household (32%) 7 Eating out at least twice a month (24%) Eating out at least twice a month (25%) Eating out at least twice a month (23%) Eating out at least twice a month (25%) 8 Having up-to-date technological devices (20%) Being able to pay college fees for your children (23%) Being able to pay college fees for your children (21%) Owning a pet (22%) 9 Owning a pet (19%) Having up-to-date technological devices (22%) Having up-to-date technological devices (20%) Having up-to-date technological devices (18%) 10 Being able to pay college fees for your children (19%) Going out on a Friday or Saturday night (20%) Owning a pet (20%) Being able to pay college fees for your children (13%)

Helping Britons to strengthen their financial safety net - sign up now and show your support.

* 63% of respondents said compared with three years ago, the standard of living for the average family in Britain has declined. UK population = 49,121,000. 63% of 49,121,000 = 30,946,230

** Financial Safety Net report - consumer survey carried out by Opinium Research. Interviews carried out amongst 2044 online interviews between 26th to 30th August 2010

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