Banks (Financial Exclusion and Access to Finance) Bill 2024-26

require banks to measure and disclose their performance in reducing financial exclusion, including exclusion from affordable credit, and in improving access to finance for small- and medium-sized businesses; to establish a system for rating banks according to that performance; to require banks to cooperate with credit unions and community development finance institutions to address financial exclusion and improve access to finance for small- and medium-sized businesses; and for connected purposes.

Private Members' Bill (under the Ten Minute Rule)

What is this Bill?

The Banks (Financial Exclusion and Access to Finance) Bill is a Ten Minute Rule Bill tabled by Gareth Thomas.

Is this Bill currently before Parliament?

Yes. This Bill was introduced on 14 January 2026 and is currently before Parliament.

Whose idea is this Bill?

As a Private Members' Bill, this Bill represents the individual initiative of an MP (Gareth Thomas), not the Government.

What type of Bill is this?

A Ten Minute Rule Bill is a process of tabling a bill, where an MP has 10 minutes to advocate for their legislation to the Commons and the Minister responsible.

So is this going to become a law?

Ten Minute Rule Bills do not receive any legislative priority and will only become an Act of Parliament if there is unanimous consent of MPs.

However, the legislative proposal may be adopted by the Government, particularly if the proposed legislation can be implemented without a Bill.

Would you like to know more?

See these Glossary articles for more information: Ten Minute Rule Bill, Private Members Bill, Process of a Bill

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