Committee publication · Correspondence · 10 March 2026

Correspondence from the Economic Secretary to the Treasury on changes to the Financial Inclusion Committee, dated 4 March 2026

Summary

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury notifies the Treasury Committee Chair that the Financial Inclusion Committee will reconvene on a twice-yearly basis to oversee implementation of the Government's Financial Inclusion Strategy (published November 2025). Four new members have been appointed to strengthen expertise: Sam Smethers (Surviving Economic Abuse), Susan Allen OBE (Yorkshire Building Society), Will Sandbrook (Nest Insight), and Rebecca Brindley (NatWest/Cabinet Office Disability Ambassador).

Key findings

FIC will meet twice yearly to examine progress on the Financial Inclusion Strategy and provide expert input from consumer and industry perspectives
All current FIC members have agreed to remain in post
New appointments chosen to address specific priorities: economic abuse, savings behaviour, financial resilience, and digital accessibility for disabled people
Government prioritises the mutuals sector and payroll savings uptake through the National Coalition of Employers
FIC membership now spans consumer organisations, financial services firms, and disability accessibility expertise

Tone

Procedural

Topics

financial-inclusionfinancial-wellbeingconsumer-protectionaccessibilitysavings-and-pensions

Key actors

Lucy Rigby KC MP, Dame Meg Hillier MP, Sam Smethers, Surviving Economic Abuse, Susan Allen OBE, Yorkshire Building Society, Will Sandbrook, Nest Insight, Rebecca Brindley, NatWest Group

Notable line

“I am happy to confirm that I will be reconvening the FIC on a twice-yearly basis to examine progress made on the implementation of the Financial Inclusion Strategy and provide expert views …”

Key Quotes

“I am happy to confirm that I will be reconvening the FIC on a twice-yearly basis to examine progress made on the implementation of the Financial Inclusion Strategy and provide expert views from both consumer and industry perspectives.”
— Lucy Rigby KC MP · Announcing the reconvening of the Financial Inclusion Committee

“Economic abuse is a key theme across the Strategy which in large part reflects the successful advocacy work undertaken by Surviving Economic Abuse in recent years to draw attention to its devastating impacts.”
— Lucy Rigby KC MP · Explaining the appointment of Sam Smethers to the FIC

“… and her appointment reflects the Government's prioritisation of the mutuals sector and the wider societal benefits of the mutual model.”
— Lucy Rigby KC MP · Justifying the appointment of Susan Allen from Yorkshire Building Society

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗