{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2023-09-06&answeringDeptSortName=Treasury&answer.answeringMemberPrinted=Andrew+Griffith", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2023-09-06&answeringDeptSortName=Treasury&answer.answeringMemberPrinted=Andrew+Griffith", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2023-09-06&answeringDeptSortName=Treasury&_metadata=all&answer.answeringMemberPrinted=Andrew+Griffith", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&answer.dateOfAnswer=2023-09-06&answeringDeptSortName=Treasury&answer.answeringMemberPrinted=Andrew+Griffith", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2023-09-06&answeringDeptSortName=Treasury&answer.answeringMemberPrinted=Andrew+Griffith", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answer.dateOfAnswer=2023-09-06&answeringDeptSortName=Treasury&answer.answeringMemberPrinted=Andrew+Griffith", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1657306", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1657306/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Over the course of 2022 high inflation from Putin\u2019s illegal invasion of Ukraine saw interest rates increase across most Western Economies.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>This is why the Prime Minister made halving inflation one of the Government\u2019s five priorities this year. The latest Bank of England forecast shows we are on track to halve by the end of the year.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-06T14:45:09.513Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-09-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mortgages: Interest Rates"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Growth Plan of 23 September 2022 on mortgage rates.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4788", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Fleur Anderson"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Putney"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Fleur Anderson"}
      ], "uin" : "197262"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654627", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654627/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government\u2019s consultation on proposed draft legislation to bring Buy-Now Pay-Later into regulation closed in April. The Government has been carefully considering stakeholder feedback to this consultation and intends to publish a consultation response in which it will set out next steps, in due course.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "195336"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-06T15:35:58.927Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit: Regulation"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when his Department plans to publish the outcome of the consultation entitled Regulation of Buy-Now Pay Later: consultation on draft legislation.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/491", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Angela Eagle"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wallasey"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dame Angela Eagle"}
      ], "uin" : "195335"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654628", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654628/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government\u2019s consultation on proposed draft legislation to bring Buy-Now Pay-Later into regulation closed in April. The Government has been carefully considering stakeholder feedback to this consultation and intends to publish a consultation response in which it will set out next steps, in due course.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-06T15:35:58.957Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit: Regulation"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when his Department plans to lay before Parliament legislative proposals relating to the consultation entitled Regulation of Buy-Now Pay Later: consultation on draft legislation.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/491", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Angela Eagle"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wallasey"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dame Angela Eagle"}
      ], "uin" : "195336"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654638", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654638/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government keeps the Premium Bond investment limit under review, to ensure that the limit continues to reflect the interests of savers, taxpayers, and the wider financial sector.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-06T15:39:15.027Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Premium Bonds"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has considered the potential merits of increasing the premium bond investment ceiling.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1447", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Rosindell"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Romford"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Rosindell"}
      ], "uin" : "195346"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654639", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654639/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The pricing of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene. However, we recognise this is a concerning time for mortgage borrowers.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>On Friday 23 June the Chancellor met with the UK\u2019s largest mortgage lenders, UK Finance and the Financial Conduct Authority to discuss how lenders will provide support for those who encounter problems keeping up with their mortgage payments. At this meeting, lenders agreed to a new Mortgage Charter to support borrowers struggling with their mortgage payments that was published on 26 June. The Charter sets out the standards signatory lenders will adopt when helping their customers, including new flexibilities to help customers manage their mortgage payments over a short period.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The Charter is in addition to the significant safeguards already in place for consumers in the mortgage market. Financial Conduct Authority rules require lenders to engage individually with their customers who are struggling or who are worried about their payments in order to provide tailored support. The Government has also taken measures aimed at helping people to avoid repossession, including Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loans, and protection in the courts through the Pre-Action Protocol.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-06T15:37:45.317Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mortgages: Interest Rates"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to help support homeowners who are unable to make mortgage payments following increases in interest rates in the last 12 months.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1447", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Rosindell"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Romford"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Rosindell"}
      ], "uin" : "195347"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654906", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654906/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The pricing of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders, including relevant credit unions, in which the Government does not intervene. However, we recognise this is a concerning time for mortgage borrowers.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>On Friday 23 June the Chancellor met with the UK\u2019s largest mortgage lenders, UK Finance and the Financial Conduct Authority to discuss how lenders will provide support for those who encounter problems keeping up with their mortgage payments. At this meeting, lenders agreed to a new Mortgage Charter to support borrowers struggling with their mortgage payments that was published on 26 June. The Charter sets out the standards signatory lenders, which includes some credit unions, will adopt when helping their customers, including new flexibilities to help customers manage their mortgage payments over a short period.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The Charter is in addition to the significant safeguards already in place for consumers in the mortgage market. Financial Conduct Authority rules require lenders to engage individually with their customers who are struggling or who are worried about their payments in order to provide tailored support. The Government has also taken measures aimed at helping people to avoid repossession, including Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loans, and protection in the courts through the Pre-Action Protocol.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>More widely, the Government is taking forward amendments to the Credit Unions Act 1979 through the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA) 2023 to allow the credit union sector to grow, by offering a wider range of products and services to their members. FSMA 2023 is central to delivering the Government\u2019s vision to grow the economy and create an open, sustainable, and technologically advanced financial services sector.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "195553"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-06T15:30:28.363Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mortgages: Interest Rates"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support is available to homeowners who have accrued unmanageable debt due to increased mortgage interest rates.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4607", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephanie Peacock"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Barnsley East"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephanie Peacock"}
      ], "uin" : "195552"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654907", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654907/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The pricing of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders, including relevant credit unions, in which the Government does not intervene. However, we recognise this is a concerning time for mortgage borrowers.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>On Friday 23 June the Chancellor met with the UK\u2019s largest mortgage lenders, UK Finance and the Financial Conduct Authority to discuss how lenders will provide support for those who encounter problems keeping up with their mortgage payments. At this meeting, lenders agreed to a new Mortgage Charter to support borrowers struggling with their mortgage payments that was published on 26 June. The Charter sets out the standards signatory lenders, which includes some credit unions, will adopt when helping their customers, including new flexibilities to help customers manage their mortgage payments over a short period.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The Charter is in addition to the significant safeguards already in place for consumers in the mortgage market. Financial Conduct Authority rules require lenders to engage individually with their customers who are struggling or who are worried about their payments in order to provide tailored support. The Government has also taken measures aimed at helping people to avoid repossession, including Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loans, and protection in the courts through the Pre-Action Protocol.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>More widely, the Government is taking forward amendments to the Credit Unions Act 1979 through the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA) 2023 to allow the credit union sector to grow, by offering a wider range of products and services to their members. FSMA 2023 is central to delivering the Government\u2019s vision to grow the economy and create an open, sustainable, and technologically advanced financial services sector.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "195552"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-06T15:30:28.443Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit Unions"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to increased mortgage interest rates, what steps his Department is taking to promote credit unions.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4607", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephanie Peacock"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Barnsley East"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephanie Peacock"}
      ], "uin" : "195553"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654247", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654247/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government has been unequivocal in its view that contracts of payment account facilities should not be terminated on grounds relating to users\u2019 lawful freedom of expression or political beliefs. The Government strongly supports this fundamental right afforded to all people in British society.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>On 21 July, the Treasury published its policy statement, setting out its plans to enhance requirements relating to payment account contract termination. These changes will extend the notice period for contract termination to 90 days (subject to limited exceptions), and mandate that providers give a clear and tailored reason for termination, unless to do so would be unlawful.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Following the announcement, I met with the UK\u2019s largest banks and building societies, whose representatives expressed their commitment to the principle of non-discrimination based on lawful freedom of expression, and to bringing their policies in line with the planned reforms where needed, as soon as possible.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Additionally, I note that regulation 18 of the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 already expressly prohibits credit institutions from discriminating against UK consumers by reason of their religion or belief, or political opinion, as they access payment accounts. The Government has made clear that it expects providers to abide by this legal requirement, and the FCA to use its powers as appropriate to ensure compliance with this requirement.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Further to this, the Chancellor has written to the FCA to request an urgent review into the matter of \u2018de-banking\u2019. The FCA is currently undertaking this review and will share the evidence and its findings with the Treasury. This will help inform whether further action is necessary to ensure nobody is being unfairly denied banking facilities.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "195008"}
        , {"_value" : "195013"}
        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-06T15:27:02.123Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bank Services: Vetting"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has had discussions with representatives of banks on safeguards to allow people to open or have a bank account regardless of political, personal or moral beliefs.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"}
      ], "uin" : "194961"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654388", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654388/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government has been unequivocal in its view that contracts of payment account facilities should not be terminated on grounds relating to users\u2019 lawful freedom of expression or political beliefs. The Government strongly supports this fundamental right afforded to all people in British society.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>On 21 July, the Treasury published its policy statement, setting out its plans to enhance requirements relating to payment account contract termination. These changes will extend the notice period for contract termination to 90 days (subject to limited exceptions), and mandate that providers give a clear and tailored reason for termination, unless to do so would be unlawful.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Following the announcement, I met with the UK\u2019s largest banks and building societies, whose representatives expressed their commitment to the principle of non-discrimination based on lawful freedom of expression, and to bringing their policies in line with the planned reforms where needed, as soon as possible.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Additionally, I note that regulation 18 of the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 already expressly prohibits credit institutions from discriminating against UK consumers by reason of their religion or belief, or political opinion, as they access payment accounts. The Government has made clear that it expects providers to abide by this legal requirement, and the FCA to use its powers as appropriate to ensure compliance with this requirement.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Further to this, the Chancellor has written to the FCA to request an urgent review into the matter of \u2018de-banking\u2019. The FCA is currently undertaking this review and will share the evidence and its findings with the Treasury. This will help inform whether further action is necessary to ensure nobody is being unfairly denied banking facilities.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "194961"}
        , {"_value" : "195013"}
        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-06T15:27:02.077Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
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      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of legislative and regulatory safeguards for preventing financial institutions from (a) refusing to provide and (b) withdrawing services from people on the basis of their lawfully-held political, philosophical and religious beliefs.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1522", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Adam Holloway"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gravesham"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Adam Holloway"}
      ], "uin" : "195008"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654395", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654395/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government has been unequivocal in its view that contracts of payment account facilities should not be terminated on grounds relating to users\u2019 lawful freedom of expression or political beliefs. The Government strongly supports this fundamental right afforded to all people in British society.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>On 21 July, the Treasury published its policy statement, setting out its plans to enhance requirements relating to payment account contract termination. These changes will extend the notice period for contract termination to 90 days (subject to limited exceptions), and mandate that providers give a clear and tailored reason for termination, unless to do so would be unlawful.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Following the announcement, I met with the UK\u2019s largest banks and building societies, whose representatives expressed their commitment to the principle of non-discrimination based on lawful freedom of expression, and to bringing their policies in line with the planned reforms where needed, as soon as possible.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Additionally, I note that regulation 18 of the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 already expressly prohibits credit institutions from discriminating against UK consumers by reason of their religion or belief, or political opinion, as they access payment accounts. The Government has made clear that it expects providers to abide by this legal requirement, and the FCA to use its powers as appropriate to ensure compliance with this requirement.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Further to this, the Chancellor has written to the FCA to request an urgent review into the matter of \u2018de-banking\u2019. The FCA is currently undertaking this review and will share the evidence and its findings with the Treasury. This will help inform whether further action is necessary to ensure nobody is being unfairly denied banking facilities.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"}
        }
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        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Financial Services: Vetting"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to include a review of the potential impact of contract termination by (a) banks and (b) other financial institutions on freedom of expression in its consultation on the Payment Services Regulations 2017.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1522", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Adam Holloway"}
      }
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      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Adam Holloway"}
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