Opposition politicians hit out at the City watchdog after it issued new financial family planning advice yesterday. Midwives are to deliver the "Parent's guide to money" with their usual services, the Financial Services Authority said in its latest attempt to improve consumers' financial understanding.

But the Liberal Democrats said the country still suffered from unco-ordinated financial education planning. Vince Cable, deputy leader, said: "What is urgently needed is an independent generic system of financial advice, available to people caught in the current recession."