Finance

This briefing answers frequently asked questions about banking scams, and describes: the scale of the problem; the types of scam; what help is available for victims; and, government and industry action.

This briefing looks in detail at the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated between the EU and UK and finalised on 14 November 2018. It was endorsed by EU Member State leaders at a special European Council summit on 25 November and the UK Prime Minister promoted it in the UK Parliament and around the country. The Agreement was debated at length in Parliament on several occasions and has been voted on three times. But the House of Commons has not endorsed it. A second extension of Article 50 took exit day to 31 October 2019, but once again the UK is faced with the possibility of leaving the EU without an agreement if this agreement or another one is not ratified by the UK and the EU.

A Westminster Hall debate on the ‘Government response when the closure of last local bank is proposed' has been scheduled for Wednesday 12 June 2019 from 2.30-4pm. The debate has been initiated by Douglas Ross MP.

A Westminster Hall debate on 'Financial exclusion and the future of access to cash' has been scheduled for Tuesday 21 May 2019 from 9.30-11.00am. The debate has been initiated by Seema Malhotra MP.

The House of Commons has voted on various options for the future UK-EU relationship in the hope that an agreed UK position may help to break the impasse following the Commons' rejection of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement. The Government says it may hold a further Commons vote on future relationship options. What options have been proposed?

This Briefing Paper was prepared for the second reading of the Financial Services (Implementation of Legislation) Bill 2017-19 on Monday 11 February 2019. It was updated after Committee Stage on 26 February 2019.

A Westminster Hall debate on the effect of Santander branch closures on local communities' will be held on Thursday 14 February from 1.30pm. The Member opening the debate is David Linden MP.

What could happen if the EU and UK negotiators don't agree a withdrawal agreement in time and the UK has to leave the EU on 29 March 2019 without one - and with no framework for future relations either? This paper looks at how such a situation might come about, the constitutional implications for the UK and in some cases for the devolved administrations, and what the impact might be in a range of policy areas.

Latest statistics and forecasts for household debt in the UK and international comparisons. There is also a guide explaining how to understand and interpret household debt statistics and a summary of research looking at its effects on the economy.

Push payment scams are a growing form of financial fraud. The industry, financial regulators and the police are working together to try to reduce its impact. This note outlines some current initiatives.

How successful has the industry been in maintaining provision of free cash across the country, including areas with high deprivation?

There have been recent headlines about the possibility of widespread cuts to the ATM network. These proposals have since changed, but the announcement highlighted the important role that cash provision facilities makes to the viability of businesses and the vitality of local communities.