Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 15 November (HL3607), what discussions they have had with the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to its proposed requirement for companies to disclose annually whether they meet specific diversity targets as part of changes to its Listing Rules; and, in particular, whether the diversity targets will include targets in relation to biological sex.

HM Treasury holds regular discussions with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on a range of issues regarding the regulation of financial markets.

The FCA’s consultation regarding diversity and inclusion targets for company boards and executive committees (CP21/24) closed on 20 October and the FCA is now analysing the responses. It will be for the FCA as the independent regulator to take forward any changes to their listings rules on this basis.