Written questions by Charalambous.

Whether she has considered introducing targeted business rates relief for post offices in England.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the April 2026 business rates revaluation and the withdrawal of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief on post offices, including on small and rural branches.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the High Streets Strategy will include a policy on business rates support for post offices.

Awaiting answer.

What steps she is taking to ensure that consumers understand the contractual obligations they enter when signing digital or electronic agreements with claims management or legal services firms.

The legal and claims management sectors are regulated independently of government. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors and most law firms in England and Wales, including claims management activities they undertake. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates specified claims management activities carried out by claims management companies.The government supports the action taken by the FCA and the SRA to ensure consumers receive clear and fair information before entering digital or electronic agreements. The FCA requires claims management firms to ensure that all digital and electronic agreements are clear, fair, and not misleading, and that customers fully understand the agreement and services before signing. FCA action on misleading online promotions led to 9,197 promotions being withdrawn by claims management firms in 2024. The SRA requires firms to provide clear information before any agreement is entered into – including about costs, termination provisions and ensuring proper client authority – whether instructions are given in person or online.

Whether she has had discussions with the Financial Conduct Authority on the number of consumers who may miss out on compensation for motor finance as a result of (a) lender record gaps, (b) procedural barriers and (c) complaint-handling delays.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as independent regulator, has set out its proposals for a motor finance redress scheme. In its consultation, the FCA has set out how it expects consumers to be appropriately redressed. The FCA also sets out proposals on what steps firms should take to ensure redress can be delivered quickly, address any gaps in their records, and what controls should be in place to ensure they operate the scheme in a fair and transparent way. Throughout the consultation period which closed on December 12, the government has encouraged all stakeholders to fully engage with the process so that their views can be considered by the FCA. The FCA has indicated it will finalise the rules of the scheme in February or March 2026.It is vital that consumers have access to motor finance to enable them to spread the cost of a vehicle in a way that is manageable and affordable. We want to see this issue resolved in an efficient and orderly way that provides certainty for consumers and firms.

What assessment she has made of the ability of motor finance lenders to adhere to the forthcoming redress scheme.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as independent regulator, has set out its proposals for a motor finance redress scheme. In its consultation, the FCA has set out how it expects consumers to be appropriately redressed. The FCA also sets out proposals on what steps firms should take to ensure redress can be delivered quickly, address any gaps in their records, and what controls should be in place to ensure they operate the scheme in a fair and transparent way. Throughout the consultation period which closed on December 12, the government has encouraged all stakeholders to fully engage with the process so that their views can be considered by the FCA. The FCA has indicated it will finalise the rules of the scheme in February or March 2026.It is vital that consumers have access to motor finance to enable them to spread the cost of a vehicle in a way that is manageable and affordable. We want to see this issue resolved in an efficient and orderly way that provides certainty for consumers and firms.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the (a) Financial Conduct Authority and (b) Financial Ombudsman Service’s recent changes to compensatory interest.

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is responsible for setting the interest rate it applies to awards. Following consultation, the FOS has confirmed that it will change the interest rate that it applies to some compensation awards, moving from the current 8% to a time-weighted average of the Bank of England’s base rate plus one percentage point. The FOS will continue to apply an 8% interest rate for the period after a determination has been made, if the business does not pay redress on time, to encourage timely compliance with FOS determinations. The Chancellor welcomed the new rate in her Mansion House 2025 speech on 15 July, with the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy noting that the new rate better reflects market conditions.

What steps she is taking to ensure that (a) people with mental health difficulties, (b) caring responsibilities, (c) financial hardship and (d) other vulnerable consumers are not disproportionately affected during the motor finance redress process.

It is vital that consumers have access to motor finance to enable them to spread the cost of a vehicle in a way that is manageable and affordable. We want to see this issue resolved in an efficient and orderly way that provides certainty for consumers and firms. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as independent regulator, has set out its proposals for a motor finance redress scheme. In its consultation, the FCA has set out how it expects consumers to be appropriately redressed. The FCA also sets out proposals on how firms should support vulnerable consumers, and address any gaps in their records, and what controls should be in place to ensure they operate the scheme in a fair and transparent way. Throughout the consultation period which closed on December 12, the government has encouraged all stakeholders to fully engage with the process so that their views can be considered by the FCA. The FCA has indicated it will finalise the rules of the scheme in February or March 2026.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) incomplete and (b) missing lender records dating back to 2007 on the ability of consumers to be (i) identified and (ii) compensated under the car finance redress scheme.

It is vital that consumers have access to motor finance to enable them to spread the cost of a vehicle in a way that is manageable and affordable. We want to see this issue resolved in an efficient and orderly way that provides certainty for consumers and firms. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as independent regulator, has set out its proposals for a motor finance redress scheme. In its consultation, the FCA has set out how it expects consumers to be appropriately redressed. The FCA also sets out proposals on how firms should support vulnerable consumers, and address any gaps in their records, and what controls should be in place to ensure they operate the scheme in a fair and transparent way. Throughout the consultation period which closed on December 12, the government has encouraged all stakeholders to fully engage with the process so that their views can be considered by the FCA. The FCA has indicated it will finalise the rules of the scheme in February or March 2026.

What assessment she has made of the potential challenges of a motor finance redress scheme which does not fully reflect consumers’ actual financial losses.

It is vital that consumers have access to motor finance to enable them to spread the cost of a vehicle in a way that is manageable and affordable. We want to see this issue resolved in an efficient and orderly way that provides certainty for consumers and firms. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as independent regulator, has set out its proposals for a motor finance redress scheme. In its consultation, the FCA has set out how it expects consumers to be appropriately redressed. The FCA also sets out proposals on how firms should support vulnerable consumers, and address any gaps in their records, and what controls should be in place to ensure they operate the scheme in a fair and transparent way. Throughout the consultation period which closed on December 12, the government has encouraged all stakeholders to fully engage with the process so that their views can be considered by the FCA. The FCA has indicated it will finalise the rules of the scheme in February or March 2026.

What sanctions are currently available to the Financial Conduct Authority if lenders fail to meet their obligations under the motor finance redress scheme; and whether the Treasury plans to review the adequacy of those sanctions.

It is vital that consumers have access to motor finance to enable them to spread the cost of a vehicle in a way that is manageable and affordable. We want to see this issue resolved in an efficient and orderly way that provides certainty for consumers and firms. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as independent regulator, has set out its proposals for a motor finance redress scheme. In its consultation, the FCA has set out how it expects consumers to be appropriately redressed. The FCA also sets out proposals on how firms should support vulnerable consumers, and address any gaps in their records, and what controls should be in place to ensure they operate the scheme in a fair and transparent way. Throughout the consultation period which closed on December 12, the government has encouraged all stakeholders to fully engage with the process so that their views can be considered by the FCA. The FCA has indicated it will finalise the rules of the scheme in February or March 2026.

What plans she has to facilitate discussions between Post Office and the major banks on expanding in-person banking services at post offices.

The Government recognises the importance of access to cash and banking services for businesses and individuals, including those who may be in vulnerable groups or require assistance and is supportive of industry initiatives that improve access to these vital services. The Post Office plays a key role in supporting access to banking services. Under the Banking Framework, a commercial agreement between the Post Office and 30 banking firms, personal and business customers can withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. The specific services provided under the Framework are subject to commercial negotiations between individual banks and the Post Office, and the Government has no role in deciding what these arrangements are. The Government would welcome continued collaboration between Post Office and the banking sector, on a commercial basis and will look to host joint discussions with Post Office and the banking sector in the coming months.