Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with banks on dedicated support for customers who are disabled or have a long-term health condition, a mental health condition or cancer.

Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel

UK banks’ and building societies’ treatment of their customers is governed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in its Principles for Businesses and includes a general requirement for firms to provide a prompt, efficient and fair service to all of their customers.

The House of Lords Select Committee on Financial Exclusion raised a number of issues affecting vulnerable customers in their recent report: Tackling financial exclusion: a country that works for everyone? The Government will respond to that report in due course.