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My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his thoughtful and considered reply. Many charities face slow, complicated and burdensome processes to change registered trustees on their accounts. According to the Charity Commission, a growing number of charities, particularly but not exclusively those that are Muslim-led, are finding themselves debanked altogether. Does my noble friend the Minister accept that current money laundering rules and banks’ risk-avoidance practices are having unintended consequences for charities seeking ethical banking? Will His Majesty’s Government consider issuing clearer regulatory guidance for the banking sector to ensure that civil society organisations are treated proportionately, fairly and indiscriminately?
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his thoughtful and considered reply. Many charities face slow, complicated and burdensome processes to change registered trustees on their accounts. According to the Charity Commission, a growing number of charities, particularly but not exclusively those that are Muslim-led, are finding themselves debanked altogether. Does my noble friend the Minister accept that current money laundering rules and banks’ risk-avoidance practices are having unintended consequences for charities seeking ethical banking? Will His Majesty’s Government consider issuing clearer regulatory guidance for the banking sector to ensure that civil society organisations are treated proportionately, fairly and indiscriminately?
I thank my noble friend for that easy, holiday-focused question on the last day of term. I also thank my noble friend Lord Pitt-Watson, who got to the Treasury job too late to take this Question. Mine’s a gin and tonic, David.
We recognise the concerns raised by charities about access to banking services. The UK’s anti-money laundering regime is designed to be risk-based and proportionate, and banks are expected to assess customers on that basis, rather than applying blanket approaches. We continue to engage with the banking sector, regulators and charities to understand these issues, and we will
keep under review whether further guidance is needed to support fair and proportionate treatment of civil society organisations.
Just to share my empathy with my noble friend, the Charity Finance Group’s 2024 survey said that 92% of charities had experienced at least one banking difficulty in the previous two years. That number needs to come down.
My Lords, can the Minister address the issue of access for charities and others in rural areas? Two or three years ago, the Treasury issued a mandate that every resident should live within two or three miles of a bank branch. That has simply not happened. Can he address this as a matter of urgency?
My Lords, can the Minister address the issue of access for charities and others in rural areas? Two or three years ago, the Treasury issued a mandate that every resident should live within two or three miles of a bank branch. That has simply not happened. Can he address this as a matter of urgency?
I understand the point the noble Baroness is making; I live in south Devon, so I recognise the picture. We understand the importance to communities and high streets of access to banking services. The industry has committed to a rollout of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 275 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 240 are already open. You can get a full list of hubs on the Cash Access UK website. If there is a particular place where there is no access to banking services, you can put in a petition, as it were, and it is obliged to look into it. This is an ongoing area of concern for the Government, and we have launched a review into access to banking services. I will happily talk more about that if noble Lords ask me.
My Lords, I faced some of the challenges raised by this Question when setting up a charity some 11 or 12 years ago. At the time, questions were asked by others in this place about the difficulties, and the answers given then were remarkably similar to the answer the Minister has just given. Nothing has improved over those 11 or 12 years, so there is clearly something wrong with the system which needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Can the Minister pass on to his colleague the requirement to act on this quickly?
My Lords, I faced some of the challenges raised by this Question when setting up a charity some 11 or 12 years ago. At the time, questions were asked by others in this place about the difficulties, and the answers given then were remarkably similar to the answer the Minister has just given. Nothing has improved over those 11 or 12 years, so there is clearly something wrong with the system which needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Can the Minister pass on to his colleague the requirement to act on this quickly?
My Treasury officials will kill me for this answer, but I must say that I recognise the picture the noble and gallant Lord has painted. When I came to read the pack for this Question, I had a decided sense of déjà vu. I will pass that question on to my noble friend Lord Pitt-Watson and he will get straight back to the noble and gallant Lord.
My Lords, charities are subject to accountability to a range of regulatory bodies—the Charity Commission, the Fundraising Regulator and HMRC. In view of that, does the Minister agree that it is wrong that banks can unilaterally withdraw banking services and that there is no appeal?
My Lords, charities are subject to accountability to a range of regulatory bodies—the Charity Commission, the Fundraising Regulator and HMRC. In view of that, does the Minister agree that it is wrong that banks can unilaterally withdraw banking services and that there is no appeal?
As the noble Baroness knows, debanking and access to banking services is an issue way beyond charities and it is really important. The Government recognise the importance of that, and that is why they have introduced new rules to require banks to give customers 90 days’ notice before closing accounts and to provide a clear explanation. The
Government’s new rules will ensure more transparent and predictable access to banking, while still recognising that it is a commercial decision for a provider as to whom they provide services. But what I would say is that banks are big and rich, most charities are small and poor, and I am on the side of the little guy.
We thank the noble Lord for standing in for the Minister at the end of term; I do appreciate that. A recent Charity Commission survey found that nearly one in five charities has experienced difficulties in opening a new bank account. This has been repeatedly discussed in your Lordships’ House, including throughout the passage of the current Financial Services and Markets Bill. How will the Government ensure that regulators apply their rules in a proportionate manner, taking account of the constraints under which charities operate that need access to banking services?
We thank the noble Lord for standing in for the Minister at the end of term; I do appreciate that. A recent Charity Commission survey found that nearly one in five charities has experienced difficulties in opening a new bank account. This has been repeatedly discussed in your Lordships’ House, including throughout the passage of the current Financial Services and Markets Bill. How will the Government ensure that regulators apply their rules in a proportionate manner, taking account of the constraints under which charities operate that need access to banking services?
The question of regulation is really important here, so I should set out the position clearly. Charities are protected by the FCA’s consumer duty up to £1 million turnover, and if they want to seek redress from the Financial Ombudsman Service, they can do so if they have turnover of less than £6 million. I would encourage charities, if they are really unhappy with their bank, to use the UK Finance “find a bank” tool—it is not called that, but you know what I mean—and the customer account switching service. The best tonic for poor service is competition.
My Lords, earlier on, the Minister said that the assessment is risk-based, but a report by the Muslim Charities Forum shows that two-thirds of Muslim charities face banking issues. Are the Government suggesting that Muslim charities pose more of a risk, and why is that?
My Lords, earlier on, the Minister said that the assessment is risk-based, but a report by the Muslim Charities Forum shows that two-thirds of Muslim charities face banking issues. Are the Government suggesting that Muslim charities pose more of a risk, and why is that?
No, I do not think that is what we are suggesting. We are suggesting that the banks must act proportionately and in a risk-based way. I think the noble Baroness knows that there are issues, not just in the Muslim community, of which charities must be vigilant, involving financial crime, money laundering and so on. We would not want to stop banks doing that, but of course we would strongly oppose any idea that that targets any specific community.
Do charities that have a politically exposed person such as a Member of Parliament or, indeed, a Member of your Lordships’ House on the board as a trustee face additional complications in gaining banking services?
Do charities that have a politically exposed person such as a Member of Parliament or, indeed, a Member of your Lordships’ House on the board as a trustee face additional complications in gaining banking services?
That does not sound right to me. I do not know the answer to that question, but I will make sure my noble friend Lord Pitt-Watson writes to the noble Viscount.
My Lords, I want to take up the issue of debanking, not just in the charity sector but in independent journalism. I do not know whether the Minister knows about the Canary, an independent journalism outlet that Lloyds Bank has debanked, meaning that it did not have access to
substantial amounts of money to pay staff. Does the Minister think that fair and ethical in an open society where we value a free press?
My Lords, I want to take up the issue of debanking, not just in the charity sector but in independent journalism. I do not know whether the Minister knows about the Canary, an independent journalism outlet that Lloyds Bank has debanked, meaning that it did not have access to
substantial amounts of money to pay staff. Does the Minister think that fair and ethical in an open society where we value a free press?
I am not familiar with that case, but if it is as the noble Lord suggests—and I have no reason to doubt that—that is a serious concern, and I am sure the FCA would want to know more about it.
My Lords, the Question is about access to ethical banking. We are frequently told during Prayers in this House about the evils of the person who lends money on usury. Can the Minister have a stab at defining ethical banking?
My Lords, the Question is about access to ethical banking. We are frequently told during Prayers in this House about the evils of the person who lends money on usury. Can the Minister have a stab at defining ethical banking?
I could read out a very long answer I have here, but I will not. The heart of the matter in relation to ethical banking goes back to this question of risk-based assessment. I know that a number of the banks that regard themselves as operating ethically would perhaps take a slightly different view on how they manage risk, but also on how they manage compliance. We want to be clear that the security of the banking system is an absolute priority.
I am over time. I wish all noble Lords a very happy summer holiday. I am off to Cornwall, and I will see you in the traffic jam on the A30.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the challenges faced by charities in accessing ethical and appropriate banking services; and what steps they are taking to ensure that voluntary organisations can obtain reliable, affordable and compliant banking provision.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the challenges faced by charities in accessing ethical and appropriate banking services; and what steps they are taking to ensure that voluntary organisations can obtain reliable, affordable and compliant banking provision.
Charities make vital contributions across the country. While the provision of banking services is ultimately a commercial decision for banks, the Government believe that it is essential that charities and voluntary organisations can access suitable banking services for their needs. The Government have worked closely with UK Finance to support non-profit groups’ access to finance, developing the interactive account finder tool hosted on its website. Smaller charities may also be eligible to use the current account switch service. I should also declare my interest: I was chair of the payments board at UK Finance for several years.
I thank the Minister for his Answer and welcome the efforts to mediate. A number of individuals have tried to mediate between the action committee and the Governments of Kashmir and Pakistan, including the chair of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, Syed Qamar Raza. There has not yet been a resolution. As the Minister points out,
the guidance from the Foreign Office is against non-essential travel, but I can tell him from my personal experience that a lot of people, probably in the thousands, will be travelling over the summer holiday period to visit family and friends. Will the Minister continue to lobby the Government of Pakistan to at least open internet access so that loved ones can maintain contact with each other—and, if possible, to lift some of the blockades in terms of lockdowns and the closure of shops and other essential facilities?
I thank the Minister for his Answer and welcome the efforts to mediate. A number of individuals have tried to mediate between the action committee and the Governments of Kashmir and Pakistan, including the chair of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, Syed Qamar Raza. There has not yet been a resolution. As the Minister points out,
the guidance from the Foreign Office is against non-essential travel, but I can tell him from my personal experience that a lot of people, probably in the thousands, will be travelling over the summer holiday period to visit family and friends. Will the Minister continue to lobby the Government of Pakistan to at least open internet access so that loved ones can maintain contact with each other—and, if possible, to lift some of the blockades in terms of lockdowns and the closure of shops and other essential facilities?
We welcome the recent reports that dialogue is ongoing between the affected parties to find a resolution. It is good news. I reassure the noble Lord that, during Minister Falconer’s visit to Islamabad in June, he discussed the situation with his Pakistani counterparts, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi; and that we continue to monitor the situation and the impact on British nationals.
My Lords, the regional elections will take place in Kashmir on 27 July; some will take place in August. What is the Government’s assessment of how free and fair these elections will be? Will they be monitoring them? I should declare that I run a Muslim charity; I did not declare this on the first Question when I asked about Muslim charities.
My Lords, the regional elections will take place in Kashmir on 27 July; some will take place in August. What is the Government’s assessment of how free and fair these elections will be? Will they be monitoring them? I should declare that I run a Muslim charity; I did not declare this on the first Question when I asked about Muslim charities.
I reassure the noble Baroness that we regularly raise human rights concerns with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels. Promoting human rights is a core part of the United Kingdom’s diplomatic engagement and programmes in Pakistan. We regularly raise our concerns with its Government at a senior level—I mentioned Minister Falconer’s visit in June. I reassure the noble Baroness that we maintain regular contact and that we are concerned. We want to ensure a peaceful resolution and dialogue, and we certainly support all efforts to maintain democratic accountability.
My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord on his return to the Foreign Office. The whole House thought that he was badly treated by the previous junta, so it is nice to see him back. The Government’s most significant challenge in their recent discussions with Pakistan was their disagreement over the deportation of Shabir Ahmed. Can the Minister update the House on progress in those discussions and what steps the Government will take if Pakistan refuses to allow Shabir Ahmed to be deported?
My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord on his return to the Foreign Office. The whole House thought that he was badly treated by the previous junta, so it is nice to see him back. The Government’s most significant challenge in their recent discussions with Pakistan was their disagreement over the deportation of Shabir Ahmed. Can the Minister update the House on progress in those discussions and what steps the Government will take if Pakistan refuses to allow Shabir Ahmed to be deported?
First, I confess I take a whole-government approach: I am not in the FCDO at the moment but have some responsibility for government policy. I reassure the noble Lord that, in my new responsibilities at the Home Office, I will take his concerns seriously. We need to be clear about our determination to ensure that the individual to whom he refers is no longer in this country. The crimes he committed were appalling and we take this matter seriously. The dialogue between Pakistan and us is ongoing.
With no disrespect to the Minister, it is regrettable that we do not have a dedicated Foreign Office Minister in this House. I hope that that will be rectified, but I welcome him to his post. The situation in both Indian- and Pakistan-administered Kashmir has for ever been one of clashes, crackdowns and human rights abuse. Will the Government consider reviewing the update of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 2019 report that highlighted all this, and press for a long-term solution?
With no disrespect to the Minister, it is regrettable that we do not have a dedicated Foreign Office Minister in this House. I hope that that will be rectified, but I welcome him to his post. The situation in both Indian- and Pakistan-administered Kashmir has for ever been one of clashes, crackdowns and human rights abuse. Will the Government consider reviewing the update of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 2019 report that highlighted all this, and press for a long-term solution?
I thank the noble Lord and I am sure, by the way, that we will have dedicated Ministers in this House. The Government are committed to that, but do not be disappointed when I get up to speak for the FCDO. As the noble Lord well knows, the United Kingdom’s long-standing position is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution on Kashmir that takes the wishes of the Kashmiri people into account. It is not for the United Kingdom to prescribe a solution or to act as a mediator; it is for those two countries to come to a solution that satisfies the people.
My Lords, the Minister mentioned the wider travel advisory for British nationals not to visit Pakistan, and the noble Lord, Lord Mohammed of Tinsley, immediately replied that they would be visiting in their thousands anyway. Has the Foreign Office reviewed the meaning of travel advisories on a wider level? The country is regularly held to a kind of ransom by unsavoury regimes when their nationals—I say this in quotation marks—are taken hostage or held in unsavoury conditions. While I applaud the work of the consular service of the FCDO, I think the travel advisory system needs broader review.
My Lords, the Minister mentioned the wider travel advisory for British nationals not to visit Pakistan, and the noble Lord, Lord Mohammed of Tinsley, immediately replied that they would be visiting in their thousands anyway. Has the Foreign Office reviewed the meaning of travel advisories on a wider level? The country is regularly held to a kind of ransom by unsavoury regimes when their nationals—I say this in quotation marks—are taken hostage or held in unsavoury conditions. While I applaud the work of the consular service of the FCDO, I think the travel advisory system needs broader review.
I hear the noble Baroness, but the first priority of the FCDO is the safety of British nationals, which we ensure through regular consultation with our missions. Our advice is based on that principle, and our travel advice is reviewed regularly. Sometimes it is amended and it can be nuanced but, at the end of the day, it is up to individuals to consider that advice and take it seriously.
My Lords, I am sure I am not the only Member of your Lordships’ House whose inbox has been filled by a significant number of cries of great concern about what is happening in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir. I note that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has put out a statement focusing on the individuals being detained solely for exercising their democratic and peaceful rights to free speech. Are the Government aware of any British nationals affected by that? It is obviously a concern; are the Government monitoring it closely?
My Lords, I am sure I am not the only Member of your Lordships’ House whose inbox has been filled by a significant number of cries of great concern about what is happening in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir. I note that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has put out a statement focusing on the individuals being detained solely for exercising their democratic and peaceful rights to free speech. Are the Government aware of any British nationals affected by that? It is obviously a concern; are the Government monitoring it closely?
As I think I said in my initial Answer, we are monitoring the situation very carefully and we strongly support individuals’ rights of freedom of assembly and expression and peaceful political protest. We have consistently emphasised
that any human rights violations should be fully investigated in line with international human rights law. Our overseas network continues to monitor these issues on an ongoing basis.
My Lords, I too am very concerned about the newly developing situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with the standoff between the authorities and protesters on civil rights issues. I have family and friends living on both sides of the line of control. What is His Majesty’s Government’s assessment of the human rights situation on the Indian side of the LoC? According to Genocide Watch’s report of February 2026, Jammu and Kashmir is on the brink of genocide and eight of the 10 stages have already been passed. How seriously do His Majesty’s Government take these reports and what are they going to do to stop this potential genocide taking place in Indian-occupied Kashmir?
My Lords, I too am very concerned about the newly developing situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with the standoff between the authorities and protesters on civil rights issues. I have family and friends living on both sides of the line of control. What is His Majesty’s Government’s assessment of the human rights situation on the Indian side of the LoC? According to Genocide Watch’s report of February 2026, Jammu and Kashmir is on the brink of genocide and eight of the 10 stages have already been passed. How seriously do His Majesty’s Government take these reports and what are they going to do to stop this potential genocide taking place in Indian-occupied Kashmir?
The noble Lord knows from previous Answers to these Questions that we have been consistent about reports of violence. We express our condolences to families who have lost loved ones, but any allegations of mistreatment by the police and armed forces should be investigated thoroughly and transparently by the relevant authorities. We unequivocally condemn killings that have been carried out by militant groups in Kashmir and extend condolences for those killed, and we certainly convey those issues to all the relevant authorities.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the human rights and political situation in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir; and what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan regarding recent restrictions on civil liberties and protests.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the human rights and political situation in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir; and what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan regarding recent restrictions on civil liberties and protests.
My Lords, the United Kingdom monitors developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir closely. We are concerned by reports of unrest, loss of life and injuries. We support freedom of assembly and expression and encourage peaceful dialogue. We understand that restrictions on communications have been especially concerning for British nationals and members of the diaspora who are seeking contact with friends and family. The United Kingdom currently advises against all but essential travel to the area.
To ask His Majesty’s Government how they intend to fund the proposed removal of VAT from electricity bills.
To ask His Majesty’s Government how they intend to fund the proposed removal of VAT from electricity bills.
My Lords, before I respond to the noble Lord’s Question, I just put on record my appreciation for the work that my noble friend Lord Livermore has done for both the Government and the Treasury in this House. I know that he will be missed at the Dispatch Box. I am sure that noble Lords also want to thank my noble friend Lord Stockwood, whom I have had the pleasure of supporting on the Financial Services and Markets Bill. I wish them both well for the future.
In response to the noble Lord’s Question, on Tuesday the Government announced immediate action to cut VAT on electricity bills to give millions of households breathing space on the cost of living. This measure is estimated to cost about £850 million in 2026-27, which will be funded by the cancellation of the digital ID programme, which was expected to cost £1.8 billion over three years. The effect of this change will ensure that we help those people who are most in need.
My Lords, if I may add to those comments, I too will miss the noble Lord, Lord Livermore, on the Front Bench. We did not agree on everything, but he certainly knew his facts and had passion and commitment when he spoke. However, the Starmer Government’s pessimism fabricated a black hole; this Government’s hubristic approach is creating a black hole. We have no real details of how these giveaways will be funded. There is talk of a grant being turned into a loan. We do not know the covenant of that loan, or the interest on it and when it will be payable. Can the Minister assure us that during the summer there will not be any further unfunded giveaways but, rather, that these types of announcements will take place properly, in the Budget, as they are supposed to do, to allow for proper scrutiny by both Houses and, equally importantly, by the OBR?
My Lords, if I may add to those comments, I too will miss the noble Lord, Lord Livermore, on the Front Bench. We did not agree on everything, but he certainly knew his facts and had passion and commitment when he spoke. However, the Starmer Government’s pessimism fabricated a black hole; this Government’s hubristic approach is creating a black hole. We have no real details of how these giveaways will be funded. There is talk of a grant being turned into a loan. We do not know the covenant of that loan, or the interest on it and when it will be payable. Can the Minister assure us that during the summer there will not be any further unfunded giveaways but, rather, that these types of announcements will take place properly, in the Budget, as they are supposed to do, to allow for proper scrutiny by both Houses and, equally importantly, by the OBR?
The priority of this Government is the cost of living. We want to bring the cost of living down to give people breathing space over the coming years. The OBR stated that we were due to spend £1.8 billion over the next three years on digital ID, funded from within existing settlements through reprioritisation. We are still going to find that money from within existing budgets through reprioritisation, but we will now use it for other things. The amount of money is relatively small when you consider that the last Government, as my noble friend Lord Livermore would say, left this Government with a £22 billion black hole.