Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the availability of bank accounts to small community groups, charities and societies.

The Treasury has not made such an assessment. The RBS alternative remedies package will see a £775m investment in business banking facilities, enabling challenger banks to provide a larger range of business bank accounts.

The Government recognises the enormous contribution that small and local charities make to society, and is working to enable smaller charities to become more independent, resilient and sustainable.