Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the proposals to allow the Bank of England to provide lending through peer-to-peer platforms.

The Bank of England has not put forward any proposals to provide lending through peer-to-peer platforms.

The government believes that peer-to-peer platforms can deliver innovative forms of finance for both consumers and business that can provide competition in the marketplace. The government has therefore implemented a proportionate, principles based regime for peer-to-peer lending that balances the need for consumer protection with allowing the sector to grow and evolve.