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>
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>
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>
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>
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"} , "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"} } ], "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" : "
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>
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>
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>
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>
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" : "195008"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-06T15:27:02.17Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "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"} } ], "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"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gravesham"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Adam Holloway"} ], "uin" : "195013"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/46574", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/46574/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
<\/p>
The requested information is not available centrally.
Home Office police recorded crime only covers offences recorded by the police
and not allegations. Furthermore, it is not possible to identify domestic
violence cases from the recorded crime figures returned to the Home Office by
police forces as these figures are based on counts of crime under the
appropriate offence classification (e.g. GBH, ABH).
With regard to stalking, the police started recording offences on April 1st
2014. Stalking offences recorded by the police will be included as part of the
regular crime statistics publications in due course.
The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database holds information on
defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences
in England and Wales. This database holds information on offences provided by
the statutes under which proceedings are brought but not all the specific
circumstances of each case. This centrally held information does not
specifically identify whether the crime was committed against males or females
for the offences of stalking and domestic violence. This detailed information
may be held on individual court files but is not reported to Justice Statistics
Analytical Services due to its size and complexity. As such this information
can only be obtained by the Ministry of Justice at disproportionate cost.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/28", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Norman Baker"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lewes"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Norman Baker"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-04-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "194958"} , {"_value" : "194959"} , {"_value" : "194960"} , {"_value" : "194961"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-04-10T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-04-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in what proportion of cases where (a) an allegation of domestic violence was made or (b) a criminal conviction was obtained for domestic violence the victim was a man and the perpetrator a man in the latest period for which figures are available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1481", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Bedfordshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Nadine Dorries"} ], "uin" : "194962"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/46576", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/46576/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
<\/p>
The requested information is not available centrally.
Home Office police recorded crime only covers offences recorded by the police
and not allegations. Furthermore, it is not possible to identify domestic
violence cases from the recorded crime figures returned to the Home Office by
police forces as these figures are based on counts of crime under the
appropriate offence classification (e.g. GBH, ABH).
With regard to stalking, the police started recording offences on April 1st
2014. Stalking offences recorded by the police will be included as part of the
regular crime statistics publications in due course.
The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database holds information on
defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences
in England and Wales. This database holds information on offences provided by
the statutes under which proceedings are brought but not all the specific
circumstances of each case. This centrally held information does not
specifically identify whether the crime was committed against males or females
for the offences of stalking and domestic violence. This detailed information
may be held on individual court files but is not reported to Justice Statistics
Analytical Services due to its size and complexity. As such this information
can only be obtained by the Ministry of Justice at disproportionate cost.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/28", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Norman Baker"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lewes"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Norman Baker"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-04-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "194958"} , {"_value" : "194960"} , {"_value" : "194961"} , {"_value" : "194962"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-04-10T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-04-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in what proportion of cases where (a) an allegation of stalking was made or (b) a criminal conviction was obtained for stalking the victim was a man and the perpetrator a man in the latest period for which figures are available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1481", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Bedfordshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Nadine Dorries"} ], "uin" : "194959"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/46577", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/46577/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
<\/p>
The requested information is not available centrally.
Home Office police recorded crime only covers offences recorded by the police
and not allegations. Furthermore, it is not possible to identify domestic
violence cases from the recorded crime figures returned to the Home Office by
police forces as these figures are based on counts of crime under the
appropriate offence classification (e.g. GBH, ABH).
With regard to stalking, the police started recording offences on April 1st
2014. Stalking offences recorded by the police will be included as part of the
regular crime statistics publications in due course.
The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database holds information on
defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences
in England and Wales. This database holds information on offences provided by
the statutes under which proceedings are brought but not all the specific
circumstances of each case. This centrally held information does not
specifically identify whether the crime was committed against males or females
for the offences of stalking and domestic violence. This detailed information
may be held on individual court files but is not reported to Justice Statistics
Analytical Services due to its size and complexity. As such this information
can only be obtained by the Ministry of Justice at disproportionate cost.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/28", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Norman Baker"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lewes"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Norman Baker"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-04-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "194958"} , {"_value" : "194959"} , {"_value" : "194961"} , {"_value" : "194962"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-04-10T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-04-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in what proportion of cases where (a) an allegation of stalking was made or (b) a criminal conviction was obtained for stalking the victim was a man and the perpetrator a woman in the latest period for which figures are available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1481", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Bedfordshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Nadine Dorries"} ], "uin" : "194960"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/46578", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/46578/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
<\/p>
The requested information is not available centrally.
Home Office police recorded crime only covers offences recorded by the police
and not allegations. Furthermore, it is not possible to identify domestic
violence cases from the recorded crime figures returned to the Home Office by
police forces as these figures are based on counts of crime under the
appropriate offence classification (e.g. GBH, ABH).
With regard to stalking, the police started recording offences on April 1st
2014. Stalking offences recorded by the police will be included as part of the
regular crime statistics publications in due course.
The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database holds information on
defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences
in England and Wales. This database holds information on offences provided by
the statutes under which proceedings are brought but not all the specific
circumstances of each case. This centrally held information does not
specifically identify whether the crime was committed against males or females
for the offences of stalking and domestic violence. This detailed information
may be held on individual court files but is not reported to Justice Statistics
Analytical Services due to its size and complexity. As such this information
can only be obtained by the Ministry of Justice at disproportionate cost.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/28", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Norman Baker"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lewes"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Norman Baker"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-04-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "194959"} , {"_value" : "194960"} , {"_value" : "194961"} , {"_value" : "194962"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-04-10T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-04-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in what proportion of cases where (a) an allegation of stalking was made or (b) a criminal conviction was obtained for stalking the victim was a woman and the perpetrator a man in the latest period for which figures are available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1481", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Nadine Dorries"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Bedfordshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Nadine Dorries"} ], "uin" : "194958"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 6, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }