{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2018-02-23&hansardHeading=Credit+Unions", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2018-02-23&hansardHeading=Credit+Unions", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2018-02-23&_metadata=all&hansardHeading=Credit+Unions", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&max-date=2018-02-23&hansardHeading=Credit+Unions", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2018-02-23&hansardHeading=Credit+Unions", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-date=2018-02-23&hansardHeading=Credit+Unions", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/847862", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/847862/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The government is committed to supporting credit unions, which provide vital services to financially under-served communities and contribute to the diversity of the UK\u2019s financial services sector. Over the last two financial years, the government has done this by:<\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li><p>Announcing at Autumn Budget 2017, that where a credit union\u2019s membership conditions are based on locality, a credit union will be able to increase the number of potential members it can have to from 2 to 3 million. The legislation to make this change was laid in November 2017 and comes into force in April 2018.<\/p><\/li><li><p>Announcing at Autumn Statement 2016 that, from 2018, an existing scheme which incentivises credit union membership in communities at risk of being targeted by loan sharks, will be expanded. This uses funds recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act from convicted loan sharks.<\/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. Lifesavers works with local credit unions to help run savings clubs with schoolchildren, and is currently being piloted in six primary schools.<\/p><\/li><li><p>Providing funding for the Credit Union Expansion Project, delivered by the Association of British Credit Unions Ltd, with an aim to modernise and grow the sector. Over the past year, credit unions with a total membership of 16,500 have begun using an online banking platform provided by this project.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-06T13:05:44.87Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-23", "_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 what action have they taken to support credit unions in the last two years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_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" : "HL5839"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/839096", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/839096/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The government is committed to supporting credit unions, which provide vital services to financially underserved communities and contribute to the diversity of the UK\u2019s financial services sector. The government has done this by:<\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li><p>Announcing at Autumn Budget 2017, that where a credit union\u2019s membership conditions are based on locality, a credit union will be able to increase the number of potential members it can have from 2 to 3 million.<\/p><p> <\/p><\/li><li><p>Announcing at Autumn Statement 2016 that, from 2018, a scheme which incentivises credit union membership in communities at risk of being targeted by loan sharks, will be expanded. This uses funds recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act from convicted loan sharks.<\/p><p> <\/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. Lifesavers works with local credit unions to help run savings clubs in schools.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4051", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Glen"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Salisbury"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "John Glen"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-02-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-02-20T12:12:26.343Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-08", "_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 support he offers to Credit Unions; and what steps his Department is taking to encourage their use.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4572", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Elmore"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ogmore"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Elmore"}
      ], "uin" : "127655"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/810007", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/810007/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The government is committed to supporting credit unions, which provide vital services to financially under-served communities and contribute to the diversity of the UK\u2019s financial services sector. Over the last two financial years, the government has done this by:<\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li><p>Announcing at Autumn Budget 2017, that where a credit union\u2019s membership conditions are based on locality, a credit union will be able to increase the number of potential members it can have to from 2 to 3 million. The legislation to make this change was laid in November 2017 and comes into force in April 2018.<\/p><\/li><li><p>Announcing at Autumn Statement 2016 that, from 2018, an existing scheme which incentivises credit union membership in communities at risk of being targeted by loan sharks, will be expanded. This uses funds recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act from convicted loan sharks.<\/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. Lifesavers works with local credit unions to help run savings clubs with schoolchildren, and is currently being piloted in six primary schools.<\/p><\/li><li><p>Providing funding for the Credit Union Expansion Project, delivered by the Association of British Credit Unions Ltd. In 2017, three credit unions with a total membership of 16,500 began using an online banking platform provided by this project.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-01-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-01-08T16:32:28.647Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-12-20", "_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 what assistance they have given to credit unions in the UK in the last two financial years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2809", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Elystan-Morgan"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Elystan-Morgan"}
      ], "uin" : "HL4353"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/798690", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/798690/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The government is committed to supporting access to credit unions, which provide vital services to financially underserved communities and contribute to the diversity of the UK\u2019s financial services sector. The government has done this by:<\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li><p>Announcing at Autumn Budget 2017, that where a credit union\u2019s membership conditions are based on locality, a credit union will be able to increase the number of potential members it can have from 2 to 3 million.<\/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. Lifesavers works with local credit unions to help run savings clubs in schools.<\/p><\/li><li><p>Contracting the Association of British Credit Unions Limited to deliver the Credit Union Expansion Project, which aims to modernise and grow credit unions in a sustainable way, enabling them to offer additional financial services to their members.<\/p><\/li><li><p>Announcing at Autumn Statement 2016 that, from 2018, a scheme which incentivises credit union membership in communities at risk of being targeted by loan sharks, will be expanded. This uses funds recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act from convicted loan sharks.<\/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" : "2017-12-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-12-06T17:08:21.533Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-12-01", "_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 plans he has to support access to credit unions; 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" : "117084"}
    , {"_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"}
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