Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with LINK and the Payment Systems Regulator on LINK's ability to guarantee the protections outlined in its Financial Inclusion Programme.

Treasury ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. This includes regular meetings with regulators, consumer organisations, and industry – including LINK and the Payment Systems Regulator – to discuss relevant issues, such as access to cash.

Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel

The Government recognises that widespread free access to cash remains extremely important to the day-to-day lives of many consumers and businesses in the UK, and will continue to engage with a range of stakeholders to ensure that it is maintained.