In recognition that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable circumstances, the government legislated through the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 to establish a new legislative framework to protect access to cash. This establishes the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the lead regulator for access to cash and provides it with responsibility and powers to seek to ensure reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities.<\/p>
<\/p>
Following this legislation, the government published a Cash Access Policy Statement<\/a>. This set out that the vast majority of people should be no further than 1 mile from access to cash deposit and withdrawal services in predominately urban areas, and no further than 3 miles in predominately rural areas. The FCA is required to have regard to this statement when exercising its access to cash powers.<\/p> <\/p> The government considers that this legislation will support businesses to continue accepting cash by ensuring they have reasonable access to deposit facilities.<\/p> <\/p> The FCA recently held a consultation on its proposed regulatory approach: FCA Access to Cash Consultation<\/a>. The FCA is currently considering feedback and expects to publish its final rules in the third quarter of this year.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4407", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nigel Huddleston"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Worcestershire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nigel Huddleston"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "25537"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-17T12:25:07.017Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cash Dispensing"}
, "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 plans to take legislative steps to help ensure public access to cash.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4638", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Slough"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi"}
], "uin" : "25538"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1715590", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1715590/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Currently, LINK (the scheme that runs the UK's largest ATM network) has commitments to protect the broad geographic spread of free-to-use ATMs and is held to account against these commitments by the Payment Systems Regulator. LINK has committed to protect free-to-use ATMs more than one kilometre away from the next nearest free ATM or Post Office, and free access to cash on high streets (where there is a cluster of five or more retailers) that do not have a free-to-use ATM or a Post Office counter within one kilometre.<\/p> <\/p> LINK publishes monthly statistics on its ATM network on its website https://www.link.co.uk/initiatives/financial-inclusion-monthly-report/#:~:text=LINK%20has%20also%20committed%20to,commitment%20can%20be%20found%20here<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> However, in recognition that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups, the government legislated through the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 to establish a new legislative framework to protect access to cash. This establishes the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the lead regulator for access to cash and provides it with responsibility and powers to seek to ensure reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities. The FCA recently held a consultation on its proposed regulatory approach: FCA Access to Cash Consultation. The FCA is currently considering feedback and expects to publish its final rules in the third quarter of this year.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4639", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bim Afolami"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hitchin and Harpenden"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Bim Afolami"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-09T11:55:28.523Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cash Dispensing"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the number of ATM closures on (a) access to and (b) the depositing of cash.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4784", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Duncan Baker"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Norfolk"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Duncan Baker"}
], "uin" : "24719"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1675952", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1675952/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups or who are reliant on cash as a payment method.<\/p> <\/p> The government legislated through the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 to establish a new legislative framework to protect free access to cash. This establishes the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the lead regulator for access to cash and provides it with responsibility and powers to seek to ensure reasonable provision of free cash withdrawal and deposit facilities. This will help prevent financial exclusion for those who are reliant on access to cash.<\/p> <\/p> The government published a policy statement earlier this year. This stated that consideration should be taken of the degree to which services meet local needs in relation to both business and personal use. The government\u2019s policy statement is available at: Cash Access Policy Statement.<\/p> <\/p> The FCA is currently holding a consultation on its proposed regulatory approach, ahead of this coming into effect by Q3 2024: https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/consultation-papers/cp23-29-access-cash<\/a><\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4639", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bim Afolami"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hitchin and Harpenden"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Bim Afolami"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "5620"}
, {"_value" : "5622"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-12-13T12:37:46.703Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-12-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cash Dispensing"}
, "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 prevent financial exclusion for people reliant on access to cash.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4653", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Morgan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Morgan"}
], "uin" : "5621"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1675428", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1675428/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " T<\/strong>he government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups.<\/p> <\/p> The government legislated through the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 to establish a new legislative framework to protect access to cash. This establishes the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the lead regulator for access to cash and provides it with responsibility and powers to seek to ensure reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities.<\/p> <\/p> In determining what constitutes reasonable provision, the legislation requires the FCA to have regard to a government policy statement, any local deficiencies in cash access that it has identified and considers to have significant impacts and any other matters as it considers appropriate.<\/p> <\/p> The government published a policy statement earlier this year. This stated that consideration should be taken of the degree to which services meet local needs in relation to both business and personal use. The government\u2019s policy statement is available at: Cash Access Policy Statement<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> The FCA is currently holding a consultation on its proposed regulatory approach ahead of this coming into effect by Q3 2024.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4639", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bim Afolami"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hitchin and Harpenden"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Bim Afolami"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-12-12T17:45:20.16Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-12-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cash Dispensing"}
, "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 the Financial Conduct Authority on the potential merits of taking into account the specific needs of local communities when setting minimum cash access standards rather than using geographic criteria.", "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" : "5150"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1646469", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1646469/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The government recognises that while the transition towards digital payments brings many opportunities, cash continues to be used by many people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups.<\/p> <\/p> The government is currently legislating to protect access to cash across the UK as part of the Financial Services and Markets Bill 2022. The Bill establishes the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the lead regulator for access to cash with responsibility and powers to seek to ensure reasonable provision of withdrawal and deposit facilities. As amended, the Bill requires the FCA to seek to ensure that there is reasonable provision of free withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal current accounts with relevant providers.<\/p> <\/p> ATMs play an important role in the availability of cash withdrawal facilities. Decisions regarding the operation and funding arrangements of an ATM network are taken by the parties involved. LINK (the scheme that runs the UK's largest ATM network) has made commitments to protect the broad geographic spread of free-to-use ATMs and is held to account against these commitments by the Payment Systems Regulator. LINK publishes information on the number of protected ATMs monthly, and ATMs can be suggested for protected status via LINK\u2019s website: https://www.link.co.uk/consumers/request-access-to-cash/suggest-an-atm-for-protected-status/<\/a><\/p> <\/p> According to LINK data for March 2023, there were around 39,000 free-to-use ATMs across the UK, including 87 free-to-use ATMs in the constituency of Bedford. Further information is available at: https://www.link.co.uk/initiatives/financial-inclusion-monthly-report/<\/a><\/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" : "2023-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "190704"}
, {"_value" : "190705"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-06-26T12:42:50.383Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-06-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cash Dispensing"}
, "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 reform the funding of the free-to-use ATM network..", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4598", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mohammad Yasin"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bedford"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mohammad Yasin"}
], "uin" : "190703"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1646471", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1646471/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The government recognises that while the transition towards digital payments brings many opportunities, cash continues to be used by many people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups.<\/p> <\/p> The government is currently legislating to protect access to cash across the UK as part of the Financial Services and Markets Bill 2022. The Bill establishes the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the lead regulator for access to cash with responsibility and powers to seek to ensure reasonable provision of withdrawal and deposit facilities. As amended, the Bill requires the FCA to seek to ensure that there is reasonable provision of free withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal current accounts with relevant providers.<\/p> <\/p> ATMs play an important role in the availability of cash withdrawal facilities. Decisions regarding the operation and funding arrangements of an ATM network are taken by the parties involved. LINK (the scheme that runs the UK's largest ATM network) has made commitments to protect the broad geographic spread of free-to-use ATMs and is held to account against these commitments by the Payment Systems Regulator. LINK publishes information on the number of protected ATMs monthly, and ATMs can be suggested for protected status via LINK\u2019s website: https://www.link.co.uk/consumers/request-access-to-cash/suggest-an-atm-for-protected-status/<\/a><\/p> <\/p> According to LINK data for March 2023, there were around 39,000 free-to-use ATMs across the UK, including 87 free-to-use ATMs in the constituency of Bedford. Further information is available at: https://www.link.co.uk/initiatives/financial-inclusion-monthly-report/<\/a><\/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" : "2023-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "190703"}
, {"_value" : "190704"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-06-26T12:42:50.477Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-06-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cash Dispensing"}
, "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 the Financial Services and Markets Bill, whether his Department plans to make an assessment of the adequacy of the number of protected free ATMs..", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4598", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mohammad Yasin"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bedford"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mohammad Yasin"}
], "uin" : "190705"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1585020", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1585020/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Treasury Ministers have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-giftsand-overseas-travel<\/a><\/p> <\/p> While the adoption of digital payments continues to develop at pace, the government recognises that millions of people continue to use cash, particularly those in vulnerable groups. Therefore, the government is currently taking legislation through Parliament to protect access to cash across the UK as part of the Financial Services and Markets Bill.<\/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" : "2023-02-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-02-13T14:27:25.493Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-02-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cash Dispensing"}
, "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 discussions he has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on publishing a policy statement on free access to cash services for low-income families, as part of the digital pound initiative.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4603", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Edgbaston"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Preet Kaur Gill"}
], "uin" : "141527"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1551931", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1551931/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " <\/strong>The government recognises that while the transition towards digital banking and payments brings many opportunities, cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups.<\/p> <\/p> The government is currently taking legislation to protect access to cash across the UK through Parliament as part of the Financial Services and Markets Bill 2022. The legislation will establish the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the lead regulator for access to cash with responsibility and powers to seek to ensure reasonable provision of withdrawal and deposit facilities.<\/p> <\/p> As part of its responsibilities, the FCA will be granted powers to seek to address any local deficiencies in the provision of access to cash facilities that it has identified and considers to be significant. The government\u2019s view is that this will allow for consideration of local circumstances in all parts of the UK, including in relation to rural areas. This will result in a regulatory framework that will support the ongoing assessment of cash needs and provision at both a nationwide and local level.<\/p> <\/p> Following the government\u2019s commitment to legislate, industry is working together to deliver new initiatives to provide shared access to cash services. To date, industry has committed to shared bank hubs in 29 locations across the UK and identified 18 further communities for piloting innovations in cash deposit services. Communities can request an assessment of access to cash in their area by LINK using the LINK website.<\/p> <\/p> There is a wide range of options to access everyday banking services, beyond branches, such as online, telephone banking, and the Post Office, reflecting wider changes in how consumers choose to bank. In 2021, 86% of UK consumers used a form of remote banking, such as an app, online or on the phone.<\/p> <\/p> The government works closely with regulators, industry, and consumer groups to support financial inclusion, and is fully supportive of the ongoing work to deliver appropriate access to banking services, including industry initiatives to provide free digital skills training to help customers access online banking.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4928", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Harlech"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Harlech"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-12-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL4310"}
, {"_value" : "HL4311"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-12-21T11:14:31.37Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-12-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cash Dispensing"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support people who rely solely on cash to (1) access cash, and (2) access digital banking alternatives to cash.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4308", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "The Lord Bishop of St Albans"}
], "uin" : "HL4312"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1507096", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1507096/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government has introduced legislation to protect access to cash through Clause 47 and Schedule 8<\/a> of the Financial Services and Markets Bill. The Bill intends to establish the Financial Conduct Authority as the lead regulator for cash access and provide it with appropriate powers to seek to ensure reasonable provision of withdrawal and deposit facilities.<\/p> <\/p> The Bill enables HM Treasury to set out the Government\u2019s policy on cash access in respect of cash withdrawal and deposit services, and for urban and rural areas. The FCA will be required to have regard to this in carrying out its responsibilities under the legislation. The Government will set out further details in due course.<\/p> <\/p>