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 was a Ten Minute Rule Bill tabled by Gareth Thomas.

Is this Bill currently before Parliament?

No. This Bill is not under active consideration by Parliament, as it was introduced during the previous 2024-26 Session.

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?

No. This Bill did not complete it's passage before the Session completed and is no longer before Parliament. However, it may have been re-introduced under a similar name in a subsequent Session.

Would you like to know more?

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

Official Bill Page All Bill Debates

Next Event: There is no future stage currently scheduled for this bill

Last Event: Wednesday 14th January 2026 - 1st reading (Commons)

Bill Progession through Parliament

Commons - 20%

Latest Key documents

Bill Debate
14/01/2026

Timeline of Bill Documents and Stages