Advisers must take Seven Families global - McLoughlin

Speaking at Zurich's Golden Circle conference in Dublin, McLoughlin who was one of the founders of the Seven Families campaign, said that financial vulnerability was "not just a UK problem." 

He highlighted Zurich research that found that half of over 6,000 respondents in Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the UK believe their risk of being unable to work through sickness, injury or disability was less than 10%.

McLoughlin said: "In the UK alone, we're seeing the welfare system face a dramatic overhaul. We also know that the average family in the UK has just £1,000 in savings which is less than a quarter of what they would need to survive financially for three months.

"Add to this picture the challenges of accessing counselling and rehabilitation and we're faced with the gloomy prospect of millions of people unable to find help to recover or get back to work."

The Seven Families was launched highlight this financial vulnerability and show how the right support can help people to rebuild their lives, he said. 

He also said this reduced the burden for the government and taxpayers while giving people the chance to look after themselves and their families.

McLoughlin added: "This isn't just a UK problem. Zurich's recent study across Western Europe showed that most people underestimate the likelihood of becoming unable to work.

"Half of more than 6,000 respondents in Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the UK believe their personal risk is less than 10%. However reality shows that the figure is up to one in four.

"This is why we believe that advisers should take the work of the Seven Families project across Europe and beyond."

He concluded: "Many people still see the State as the main provider of financial support to those no longer able to work. But the gradual reduction in social security benefits is taking place in many countries as populations age and national budgets come under pressure."