Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans her Department has to help expand financial services trade with other key international financial centres.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, this government are committed to developing a trade strategy that will drive economic growth. That is why we intend to deliver the UK’s Free Trade Agreement programme, starting with the Gulf Co-operation Council, India, Israel, Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Turkey.

The financial services sector is one of the UK’s most critical industries. With Free Trade Agreements, we will secure commitments on financial services that will drive growth by increasing UK financial services exports, attracting foreign investment, and enhancing the City’s competitiveness.