Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many government shares in Lloyds Banking Group have been sold to date; and at what prices those shares were sold.

As set out by the National Audit Office (NAO) in their report on HMT’s Annual report and Accounts 2013/14, the Government has completed two separate disposals of shares in Lloyds Banking Group so far. In September 2013, UK Financial Investments (UKFI) sold 4,282 million Lloyds shares at 75.0 pence per share. In March 2014, UKFI sold a further 5,555 million shares at 75.5 pence per share.

On 17 December 2014 the Chancellor authorised the sale of a third part of the government’s shareholding via a trading plan. The plan is ongoing and will end no later than 30 June 2015.

As I informed the House in my written statement on 18 December, a statement will be laid before Parliament with further details at the end of the plan.