{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2017-11-30&hansardHeading=Credit+Unions", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2017-11-30&hansardHeading=Credit+Unions", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2017-11-30&_metadata=all&hansardHeading=Credit+Unions", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&max-date=2017-11-30&hansardHeading=Credit+Unions", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2017-11-30&hansardHeading=Credit+Unions", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2017-11-30&hansardHeading=Credit+Unions", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/797877", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/797877/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Association of British Credit Unions (ABCUL) is delivering the Credit Union Expansion Project. Three credit unions are using the banking platform delivered through CUEP though none have signed off to business as usual. There is no plan to make changes to the contract.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4142", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guy Opperman"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hexham"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Guy Opperman"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-12-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-12-05T14:00:20.377Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-11-30", "_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 Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make a further review of the credit union expansion project to examine the possibility of additional changes that would allow credit unions to offer additional financial services.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"}
      ], "uin" : "116784"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/780352", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/780352/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government is committed to building an economy that works for everyone and credit unions play a key role in this by offering affordable, responsible credit to some communities.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>In response to the Government\u2019s 2014 Call for Evidence on the future of credit unions, the Government committed to consider potential legislative changes in the previous Parliament that would help the sector grow and thrive.<\/p><p>However, it is important to consider any changes carefully to avoid unintended consequences, such as bringing smaller credit unions into regulation that might not be proportionate.<\/p><p>The Government remains committed to supporting the sector and will continue to work with interested stakeholders to achieve this. The government is also keen for the sector to look for further opportunities to grow within the existing regulatory framework by exploring opportunities for collaboration within the sector.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-07T16:19:56.933Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit Unions"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to expand the scope of products that credit unions can choose to provide to their members.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/217", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Primarolo"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Primarolo"}
      ], "uin" : "HL2716"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/765975", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/765975/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Credit unions play a key role in offering affordable, responsible credit to underserved communities. The Government has supported the sector in the following ways:<\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li><p>Announcing at Autumn Statement 2016 that a greater proportion of funds recovered from illegal money lenders will be allocated to incentivise vulnerable people to join, save and borrow with a credit union instead of turning to loan sharks;<\/p><\/li><li><p>Increasing the maximum interest rate that credit unions can charge on loans from 2% to 3%. This has helped credit unions become more stable and allowed them to offer reliable, affordable credit to consumers who may otherwise have had to resort to more expensive means;<\/p><\/li><li><p>Contributing £600,000 to an initiative developed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Young Enterprise, to start savings clubs in primary schools and educate young children in the benefits of saving, while promoting awareness of credit unions to children and their parents. Lifesavers works with local credit unions to help run savings clubs in schools; and<\/p><\/li><li><p>Initiating the Credit Union Expansion Project, a £38 million project aimed at helping the sector modernise and offer new services.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4095", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Barclay"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Cambridgeshire"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Barclay"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-10-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-10-16T11:05:05.51Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-10-06", "_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 Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his policy is on the promotion of credit unions as an alternative to pay day lenders.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4625", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Masterton"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Renfrewshire"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paul Masterton"}
      ], "uin" : "105873"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/673444", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/673444/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Contract to deliver the Credit Union Expansion Project was scheduled to end in December 2016. The Association of British Credit Unions Ltd (ABCUL) are delivering the Contract and has provided a proposal to extend the delivery timeline. To allow the proposal to be considered the Department has agreed an interim Contract extension to February 2017.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>To the end of December 2016, £30.8.m has been spent. Any remaining expenditure is subject to agreement on ABCUL\u2019s proposal to extend the Contract and delivery of specific outcomes.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4068", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Harrington of Watford"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Watford"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Richard Harrington"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-01-23T14:54:45.937Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-01-16", "_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 Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2017 to Question 58730, on credit unions, what steps he plans to take to complete the expansion project for credit unions; how the £38 million will be allocated; and over what time period that allocation will take place.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/437", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir David Crausby"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bolton North East"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir David Crausby"}
      ], "uin" : "59997"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/668868", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/668868/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government\u2019s manifesto commits to support the credit union movement in making financial services more accessible over the course of this Parliament. The Government has supported the sector in the following ways:<\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li><p>Investing up to £38 million in an expansion project for credit unions, aimed at helping credit unions expand and grow sustainably.<\/p><\/li><li><p>The Government announced at AS16 that a greater proportion of funds recovered from illegal money lenders will be allocated to incentivise vulnerable people to join, save and borrow with a credit union instead of turning to loan sharks.<\/p><\/li><li><p>The Coalition Government also increased the maximum interest rate that credit unions can charge on loans from 2% to 3%. This has helped credit unions become more stable.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The Government will continue to look at ways it can help support the sector.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3929", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Simon Kirby"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brighton, Kemptown"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Simon Kirby"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-01-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-01-11T10:37:39.197Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-01-06", "_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 Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how the Government plans to improve and promote access to credit unions.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/437", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir David Crausby"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bolton North East"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir David Crausby"}
      ], "uin" : "58730"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/647622", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/647622/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government is committed to facilitating sustainable financial services that give consumers greater choice in accessing credit. To help achieve this aim, the Government has fundamentally reformed regulation of the consumer credit market, transferring regulatory responsibility from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on 1 April 2014. The FCA has transposed key elements of the OFT\u2019s Irresponsible Lending Guidance into binding rules. The FCA makes clear that a firm should lend responsibly, and takes reasonable steps to assess the customer\u2019s ability to meet repayments in a sustainable manner without undue difficulties, and without having to borrow further. Ultimately, money should only be lent to a consumer if they can afford to repay it.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Furthermore, the Government has already introduced several initiatives to support the credit union sector. These include investing £38m in the sector through the Department of Work and Pensions\u2019 Credit Union Expansion Project, and providing £500,000 to help armed forces personnel access credit union services.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The scheme referred to at paragraph 3.45 of the Autumn Statement 2016 is undertaken by the England Illegal Money Lending Team. The Team recovers funds from convicted loan sharks under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and currently uses this to fund community education work and a credit union incentive scheme in areas which are vulnerable to loan sharks. The scheme provides cash incentives for new credit union accounts into which consumers make regular savings.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>In 2018, governance of the Team, and control of how it uses funds recovered under POCA, will transfer to HM Treasury. In April 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority will introduce a new levy collected from consumer credit firms which will fund the Team\u2019s enforcement and education work. This will make it possible to free-up POCA funds currently used for education about loan sharks to expand the credit union scheme.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3929", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Simon Kirby"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brighton, Kemptown"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Simon Kirby"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-12-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-12-07T11:17:53.177Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-11-29", "_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 Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 3.45 of the Autumn Statement 2016, if he will publish details on the working of the expansion of the scheme to encourage credit union membership in areas at risk from loan sharks.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1533", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kingston upon Hull North"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Diana Johnson"}
      ], "uin" : "55479"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/480076", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/480076/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>On 31 December 2014, the government published a response to the Call for Evidence on Credit Unions.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>In this response the government committed to considering the potential changes to credit union legislation highlighted by the Call for Evidence over the course of this parliament.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4536", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord O'Neill of Gatley"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord O'Neill of Gatley"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-04-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-04-01T12:37:33.097Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-03-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Credit Unions"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what plans they have to review the legislation governing credit unions.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4153", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Kennedy of Southwark"}
      ], "uin" : "HL7178"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/445447", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/445447/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government has taken significant steps to help credit unions compete in the personal loans and savings market. These include increasing the maximum interest rate that credit unions can charge on loans from 2% to 3% per month; investing £38m in the sector through the Department of Work and Pensions\u2019 (DWP) Credit Union Expansion Project; ensuring that universal credit and pensions payments can be paid into any credit union account; providing £500,000 to help armed forces personnel access credit union services; and changing legislation to allow credit unions to admit corporate members.<\/p><br /><p>The Government has also provided £650,000 to fund the Archbishop of Canterbury\u2019s \u2018LifeSavers\u2019 project. This project forms partnerships between primary schools and local credit unions, raising awareness of the credit union movement and encouraging more junior savers to become members.<\/p><br /><p>In addition the Government has also introduced an amendment to the Bank of England Bill 2015 to support financial mutuals. It amends the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority\u2019s General Regulatory Principles to ensure that both regulators take account of the differences between mutual societies and other types of firm (where appropriate) whenever they are discharging their general objectives.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4107", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Worcestershire"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Harriett Baldwin"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-01-21T12:23:42.447Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-01-18", "_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 Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to help credit unions compete in the personal loans and savings market.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"}
      ], "uin" : "22923"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/443171", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/443171/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Financial Services Compensation Scheme regularly publishes details of the interventions it has undertaken to protect depositors. The Scheme announced that it had protected the savings of members in five credit unions which entered default in 2014; and six in 2015.<\/p><br />"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4107", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Worcestershire"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Harriett Baldwin"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-01-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-01-12T15:20:34.473Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-01-07", "_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 Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many credit unions were subject to intervention by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme in 2014 and 2015.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"}
      ], "uin" : "21538"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/424865", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/424865/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) is responsible for the prudential regulation and supervision of credit unions. It has a general objective to promote the safety and soundness of the firms it regulates and a secondary objective to facilitate effective competition.<\/p><br /><p>The PRA is an independent non-governmental body and, although the Treasury sets the legal framework for all regulation, it has strictly limited powers in relation to the regulators. However, last year the Government asked the PRA to use the evidence gathered from the Government\u2019s Call for Evidence on Credit Unions to inform their 2015 review of the Credit Union Sourcebook (CREDS).<\/p><br /><p>The PRA have confirmed that they have taken into account the feedback received by HM Treasury in response to the Call for Evidence when formulating suggested reforms to CREDS.<\/p><br /><p>The PRA\u2019s reforms seek to establish a more risk-based and flexible framework for credit union regulation, which imposes higher expectations for more sophisticated activity. The PRA recognises the unique structure and important role credit unions play in their local communities and is proposing to reform the rules to better reflect their evolving but distinctive business model.<\/p><br /><p>The PRA are looking to adjust the regulation so that rules around investments, capital levels and reporting requirements will be determined by looking at the risk profile and business model of the credit union. Existing rigid restrictions will be removed, giving credit union boards more freedom to decide how their businesses are to be run.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4107", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Worcestershire"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Harriett Baldwin"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-11-04T12:57:34.163Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-10-29", "_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 Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking encourage the Prudential Regulation Authority to assist credit unions in expanding the services they offer to their members; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/177", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gareth Thomas"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrow West"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gareth Thomas"}
      ], "uin" : "14104"}
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}