Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to help ensure that age discrimination is removed from financial services.

The Government is committed to tackling financial exclusion and discrimination and aims for everyone, whatever their background, age or income, to be able to access useful and affordable financial products and services. The Government works closely together with regulators, the financial services industry and other stakeholders, to ensure that all consumers of financial services are appropriately protected.

In February 2021, the FCA published its finalised guidance for firms on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers, setting out a number of areas of best practice. This guidance explores, among other things, how firms can understand the needs of vulnerable customers and provide targeted services for this cohort.

In addition, like all service providers, financial services firms are bound under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, where necessary, in the way they deliver their services.