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Written question asked by Anna Gelderd (Labour) on Monday, 18 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. It was answered by Blair McDougall (Labour) on Tuesday, 26 May 2026 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Companies: Remote Meetings

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what comparative analysis his Department has made of the use of virtual-only Annual General Meeting practices in (a) the United States, (b) the European Union and (c) other major financial centres.

Answer

The government has committed to clarifying the law in relation to fully virtual Annual General Meetings (AGMs). 85% of OECD Factbook countries already allow virtual AGMs, including the United States, most European Union countries, and other major financial centres, such as Japan.

Officials are engaging with investors and business on the practicalities of this, and our Modernising Corporate Reporting programme will include consideration of the shareholder safeguards that should accompany this change. This will ensure that fully virtual meetings only take place where shareholders agree, preserving the option for physical or hybrid attendance where it is shareholders’ preferred format.

A full assessment of fully virtual AGMs as part of the consultation, is due to be published shortly.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
2663
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Companies Remote meetings
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk