The future of local banking services and access to cash
An overview of policy relating to the closure of bank and building society branches and to efforts to protect access to cash.

Can credit unions ever live up to governments' hopes?
Credit Unions (476 KB , PDF)
Credit Unions are often small savings and loans institutions with a strong community tie or bond. They are often run by a combination of paid and voluntary staff. Credit unions have a relatively small presence in the UK with the exception of Northern Ireland.
They have enjoyed broad political support actross successive governments and they have received sustained legislative and financial support to expand their operations, largely because they have seemed to provide an answer to a number of social or economic problems. However, the simple fact that they are in the midst of yet another ‘growth’ initiative after so many that have gone before, suggests that there are reasons why they have never met all the expectations of governments past and present.
Credit Unions (476 KB , PDF)
An overview of policy relating to the closure of bank and building society branches and to efforts to protect access to cash.
An overview of current and past approaches to helping homeowners with mortgage debt, including information on trends in arrears and repossessions.
In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Western allies and other partners across the globe have imposed an unprecedented package of coordinated sanctions against Russia.