Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase domestic ownership of UK equities.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government wants to see more consumers participate in capital markets and benefit from the long-term financial security that investing can provide.

The Financial Services Growth & Competitiveness Strategy Call for Evidence, which closed on 12 December, asked how increasing retail participation in capital markets could support long-term sustainable growth within the sector and the wider economy. The call for evidence welcomed further evidence on how to improve consumer engagement with investing, and the Government is considering the feedback provided.

More broadly, the Government is committed to boosting our capital markets to deliver growth across the UK and is pursuing ambitious reforms to make our markets even more competitive. For example, reforms to the Prospectus rules will give investors, including retail investors, access to better quality information and so participate more easily in the capital raising process. The Government is also working with the FCA to review the boundary between financial advice and guidance, to ensure consumers get the support they need to make decisions about their finances.

The Pensions Investment Review has put forward ambitious proposals to reform the UK pension system, which includes encouraging further pension investment into UK assets to boost growth across the country, and will publish its final report in the Spring.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the availability of submarine personnel to crew the continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent currently and in future years.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Navy has successfully maintained Operation RELENTLESS – the Continuous At Sea Deterrent – without interruption for over 56 years. We do not disclose details of the operation, including the duration of time spent at sea, as such information could be used to undermine the security and capability of the mission and our personnel.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the entitlement of a shareholder to choose whether to attend public company annual general meetings in person or digitally.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

It is clear that the use of digital or “virtual” platforms can provide benefits to both companies and shareholders in the context of annual general meetings and indeed “hybrid” meetings, which provide a combination of physical and virtual access, are already relatively commonplace. While the Government committed last Autumn to clarifying the law around wholly virtual general meetings, we fully recognise the importance of shareholder rights. Therefore, the appropriate safeguards will be considered as part of any legislative changes. My officials will continue to develop this policy and work towards a position that balances the interests of all relevant stakeholders.

Found: Letter dated 07/03/2025 from Lord Livermore to Lord Lee of Trafford regarding proposals raised during