Speeches by Blake.

“You started to talk a bit about possible practical solutions to this and you started making the distinction between essential services and other services. I am interested in this topic, and the Committee is interested in putting forward practical solutions in our recommendations. There is clearly a challenge in terms o…”

“Is there evidence that you could share with us about the impact of the £100 excess on older people? I am sure we would be interested to see it.”

“We have been talking a bit about resilience, and one of the vulnerabilities outlined by the FCA is about capability. Where do you think the real responsibility lies for tackling that vulnerability in capability, in terms of financial education and awareness?”

“We have heard a lot this afternoon about investment in the public sector and what the proposals will do to small businesses, but we have not heard the Opposition recognise that this country needs a healthy workforce. The Bill proposes a sustainable and manageable approach to funding that healthy workforce. Will the hon…”

“This has been driven by a sense that fintech companies would be disadvantaged by the £415,000. On the number of claims, you have alluded to 99% being covered by the £85,000. So how do you think that change will balance innovation and risk taking?”

“Can you suggest any particular remits that you think should be withdrawn? I share and am always interested in this critique of Government policy: things are always added and never taken away. The Committee is really interested to know whether there are specific remits that you would take away.”

“We have spent much of this session talking about the balance between risk and the impact on consumers. Earlier this year we saw the decrease in the maximum liability for repayments from £415,000 to £85,000. There was some discussion about what was driving that decision. Can you elaborate more on the trade-off between i…”

“Yes.”

“Can you elaborate on your final point about deterring financial crime and protecting against it? What might this do to the people trying to commit fraud?”

“What would that look like?”

“We have been talking a bit about resilience, and one of the vulnerabilities outlined by the FCA is about capability. Where do you think the real responsibility lies for tackling that vulnerability in capability, in terms of financial education and awareness?”

“And if it does not have that role, where do you think that responsibility should lie?”

“Can you suggest any particular remits that you think should be withdrawn? I share and am always interested in this critique of Government policy: things are always added and never taken away. The Committee is really interested to know whether there are specific remits that you would take away.”

“We have spent much of this session talking about the balance between risk and the impact on consumers. Earlier this year we saw the decrease in the maximum liability for repayments from £415,000 to £85,000. There was some discussion about what was driving that decision. Can you elaborate more on the trade-off between i…”

“Yes.”

“Can you elaborate on your final point about deterring financial crime and protecting against it? What might this do to the people trying to commit fraud?”

“What would that look like?”

“This has been driven by a sense that fintech companies would be disadvantaged by the £415,000. On the number of claims, you have alluded to 99% being covered by the £85,000. So how do you think that change will balance innovation and risk taking?”

“And if it does not have that role, where do you think that responsibility should lie?”

“ That does not get to the answer to my question, which was about progress towards that quite significant target of £275 million extra by the end of this calendar year, based on those staff. I understand your explanation that they were going to go, and now they do not have to go, but I am not clear on the progress …”