Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to include the recommendations of the Access to Banking Review in the Financial Services and Markets Bill 2026.

The Access to Banking Services Review will consider access to in-person banking services and whether changes to access to in-person banking services are causing consumer detriment. The evidence collected by the Review will inform future decisions on whether further action is needed.

Alongside the Review, the Financial Services and Markets Bill includes a power to allow the Government to take action in future to protect access to banking services, should this be necessary. This power ensures the Government can act swiftly and proportionately, including through future regulation, if the evidence from the Review supports intervention.

The Review will conclude in October 2026 and provide its findings and recommendations to the Government. The Government will consider those findings carefully, including whether any further action is required to protect access to banking services. The findings will also help inform how the Government considers the use of powers contained in the Financial Services and Markets Bill.