Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with representatives of the (a) Financial Conduct Authority and (b) Financial Services Compensation Scheme to ensure that investors in mini-bonds such have adequate information on the risks of such schemes before investing following the collapse of London Capital & Finance.

On 1 April, the Government announced it will direct the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to launch an investigation into the events and circumstances surrounding the failure and placing into administration of London Capital and Finance plc (LCF). This followed a request from the FCA Chair, Charles Randell, to launch such an investigation.

On 23 May 2019, the Government laid a direction before Parliament setting out the terms of the investigation. Alongside this, the Government announced it will separately review the wider policy questions raised by this case.

Although operationally independent, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and the FCA are both accountable to HM Treasury and to Parliament. My officials and I engage with the FCA and FSCS on an ongoing basis, and HM Treasury continues to work with the relevant bodies on the failure of LCF as a matter of priority. The FSCS is also continuing work to increase awareness and understanding of FSCS protection.